My 11-year-old son and I ride bikes to and from his school every day. I accompany him on the 20-minute ride through Manhattan, drop him off and return at the end of day to pick him up. We always ride together; sometimes he leads; sometimes I do. And as we ride, we communicate the ways to minimize the dangers: Don’t go too fast, and watch out for doors suddenly swinging out from parked cars and jaywalking pedestrians, etc. Some friends worry about the risk of riding in traffic, but is there a better way to let my son know how to deal with traffic dangers?

But recently he requested me to start hanging back a half block or so. This way he could enjoy the feeling of riding on his own, with the security of knowing that I was nearby in case he needed me. This is healthy, of course, as my son needs space to develop independence in preparation for his inevitable (不可避免的) departure from home. However, that means soon he will want to ride to school on his own, and I will no longer have this wonderful routine. “Let your children go if you want to keep them.” I understand this and am trying to let my son go in age-appropriate phases, but I still suffer. It’s one of the most troubling experiences of parenthood — recognizing that your presence is becoming less welcome.

My dilemma as a husband mirrors the concern I feel as a parent. My wife has just left on a six-month mission to cover the situation in Libya. In the days leading up to her departure, we spoke openly about the possibility, however unlikely, that she might be killed. But while I influence her decisions, I do not control them. Finally, it was her decision. I know that letting go is the wisest path in this case too.

As we travel through life’s phases, we must let go of so much. And I don’t think it gets easier with practice. But maybe just accepting that eventually we will have to let go is the secret to living a full life.

21. According to the passage, when riding bikes together, ________.

  A. the writer and his son take turns leading the way to school

  B. the writer hopes that his son could learn to be more dependent

  C. the writer and his son share opinions to reduce possible dangers

  D. the son always keeps the writer hanging back a half block or so

22. Although he thinks his son’s request understandable, the writer ________.

  A. regrets not giving his son enough space        B. feels upset for being rejected by his son      

  C. shows great concern for his son’s safety        D. feel proud that his son rides on his own

23. We can infer that the writer’s wife may be a(n) ________.

  A. journalist          B. soldier.           C. politician           D. activist

24. What would be the best title for the passage?

  A. Live a full life                           B. Learn to let go

  C. Father love is great                       D. Practice makes perfect   

Studying abroad is tough. Thankfully, there are several apps that make it easier to travel and communicate with family and friends across the ocean, which are helpful in relieving some of that study abroad anxiety.

    Triposo: The App Store has over 142 separate Triposo apps, each one full of information about one trip destination. Each destination’s front page shows the local time, up-to-date currency exchange rate and the top seven things to do. The “Practicalities” tab shows addresses of local public transportation stops, grocery stores and currency exchange locations. The “Travelpedia” tab gives you a quick history lesson on the city, including a list of annual festivals and suggestions of local food you have to try before you leave. And each Triposo app is available offline, so you don’t need Wi-Fi to plan your trip throughout the day!

    Evernote: Thanks, Evernote, for being the greatest app ever. Use it to record lectures and take notes in class, make grocery lists and create to-do lists for your travel destination. Save your travel routes, hotel information and address of the closest coffee shop right to your phone for easy access when you’re on the go.

    Viber: While WhatsApp is the more popular app for overseas communication, Viber takes it a step further in terms of functionality. This app uses Wi-Fi, so you can text and even make calls while you’re away. The sound quality is different from a regular phone call, but it is very clear.  

    Foodspotting: Hungry in a new city? Check your Foodspotting app – it scans your location for photos and reviews of good food in your area. Foodspotting offers recommendations based on your location, so you can choose between lots of delicious options nearby.

    Google Translate: If I had a superpower, I would speak every language. But until that day comes, Google Translate is the way to go. Don’t be dumb when you’re in a new country. Know what you want to say when you get to the coffee shop. Don’t just point and say it sheepishly in English – zero people will like you. Get out that Google translate on your way there, figure out what you want to say, practice your pronunciation, and walk in confidently.

25. What do Triposo and Evernote have in common?

  A. They display public transportation.          B. They introduce foods and festivals.

  C. They can be used for classroom studies.      D. They can help you plan for you trip.

26. If a student studying abroad wants to phone home, he can use ________.

  A. Viber          B. Tripso         C. Evernote      D. Google Translate

27. While in a new country and using Google Translate, we’re advised to ________.

  A. teach local people to speak English          B. speak English with local people

  C. talk to local people in their language         D. make ourselves understood in our language

Golf has always prides itself on its standards and rich tradition. But increasingly a victim of its own image and conventional ways, golf has lost five million players in the last decades, according to the National Golf Foundation, with 20 percentage of the existing 25 million golfers tending to quit in the next few years. People under 35 have especially rejected the game, saying it takes too long to play, too difficult to learn and has too many tiresome rules.

    Many of golf’s leaders are so convinced the sport is in danger of following the baby boomer generation (born between the years 1946 and 1964) into the grave that they start an alternative movement leading to unconventional forms of golf with new equipment, new rules and revolutionary changes to courses.

    Among the unconventional types of golf is an entry-level version in which the holes are 15 inches wide, about four times the width of a standard one. A 15-inch-hole event was held here at the Reynolds Plantation resort on Monday. It featured the top professional golfers Sergio Garcia and Justin Rose.

    “A 15-inch-hole could help junior golfers, beginning golfers and older golfers score better, play faster and like golf more,” said Garcia.

    Rose said he was planning to use an expanded hole to reintroduce the game to his five-year-old son, who rejected the game recently after he had grown tired of failing at it.

    Golf still ranks among the US’s top 10 recreational sports activities, and given its tradition, it is no surprise that all golfers don’t agree with the alternative movement.

    “I don’t want to reform the game and cheapen it,” said Curtis Strange, a two-time United States Open Champion and an analyst for ESPN. “I don’t like any of that staff. And, it’s not going to happen, either. It’s all talk.”

    But Ted Bishop, the president of the PGA of America, argues that it is those purists’ worry that has held the sport back for 20 years. “I went to a golf club’s 125^th anniversary dinner not long ago, and the absolute majority of the people in the room were over 55,” said Bishop. “We should be asking, ‘on that club’s 150^th anniversary, who’s going to attend?’”

28. According to the passage, golf ________.      .

  A. is unpopular among the young people            B. has 20, 000,000 golf players now

  C. has caused too much trouble to people            D. is developing rapidly over the years

29. The golf leaders in favor of an alternative movement ________.     .

  A. hope to attract more elder golf players            B. feel worried about the game’s future

  C. experience rejection from all the golfers           D. decide to improve security on the golf course

30. what do we learn about the golf event held on Monday?

  A. It was set up especially for young children.        B. It proved to be more difficult to play than usual.

  C. It used holes much wider than the standard ones.    D. It was a practical experiment of the traditional golf.

31. Which of the following can describe Ted Bishop’s attitude towards reforming golf?

  A. Opposite           B. Indifferent         C. Critical       D. Supportive

The fact that trees are vital to our life is no secret. They provide us with food, wood and most importantly, oxygen. Now there is one more thing you can add to this list -blocking out harmful bacteria from water.

    The discovery was pointed out by a team made up of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and high school student who were seeking a natural water filter — one that would help communities in developing countries that are not equipped with modern water systems.

    The researchers, led by Rohit Karnik, a professor at MIT, decided to turn to trees for help because they allow liquid to flow through, while blocking out air bubbles.

    They began by cutting 1.5-inch-wide sections of tree bark from the branches of a white pine tree. The researchers then tested the wood's filtering ability by pouring water containing red dye particles (粒子) of different sizes, through. To their astonishment, they found that it was effective in trapping all the particles. Encouraged, the team conducted another experiment, this time with water that contained bacteria. Sure enough, the sapwood (边材) held back 99% of the bacteria, allowing only 1% to flow through.

   Mr. Karnik says that the bark was able to filter water containing much smaller particles. This means that barks can be used to get rid of a majority of bacteria, since most are at least 10 times as wide. However, what troubles them is that tree barks aren’t blocking out viruses, which tend to be much smaller.

    Also, while the pine sapwood is effective, we must remember one thing—it only works when it is moist. This means that before this natural filter can be put to practical use, the researchers will have to figure out how to keep the wood damp, or find a way to keep the bark's great filtering capability even when it's dry!

   But the team is not done yet. They plan on testing other types of sapwood, including those from flowering trees which have smaller pores (气孔). They think that these may be more effective in trapping smaller particles and even viruses

32. How could the scientists’ discovery about trees affect some developing countries?

  A. More pine trees will be planted.               B. Bacteria will be removed from water.

  C. People won’t worry about water pollution.       D. Clean water will become more accessible.

33. In the experiments, the researchers ________.

  A. found tree barks can’t get rid of viruses          B. used water containing particles of similar size

  C. were surprised tree barks remove all the bacteria   D. made sure most particles were bigger than bacteria

24. The underlined word “moist” in the passage probably means ________.

  A. hot                                       B. cold

  C. dry                                       D. wet

35. The team is going to conduct other experiments to ________.

  A. search for more kinds of wood barks             B. find a way to keep the wood damp

  C. improve the filtering ability of trees              D. test the filtering ability of other trees

    Picking up a few hiking safety tips will probably save your life. There are many things that can be done to help keep you and your loved ones safe.

u       Research the area you will hike.

Research the place where you will be hiking and see what you find. Hike in areas that are kept in good condition.    36    Even though some places are reported to be safe, remember that terrain (地形) is always changing.

u       Research weather patterns in the area.

Look at recent weather before you leave to see how it may have affected the area.    37    Rainfall may also result in loose ground. Remember to bring the appropriate clothing for conditions such as wind, rain or extreme heat.

u          38  

 Know where you are going and let a family member or close friend know where you are heading. Give this person a detailed description of where you plan to be. Give an expected departure and arrival time and do your best to hike where you will have radio signal or cellphone service.

u          39    

If possible, choose a place that at least one of you is familiar with to avoid surprises. Hike with somebody who  can give you first aid or make sure you take a first aid class before your trip. When it comes to hiking, you are better safe than sorry!

u       Pack for all situations.

   40    However, some of these necessities will finally come in handy: a full water bottle, energy food, a map, a compass, materials to start a fire, an extra blanket, a radio/cellphone and basic first aid equipment.

    A. Plan in advance.

    B. Pay attention to safety.

    C. Always hike with a partner or group.

    D. It may seem like extra weight on a hike.

    E. Be sure to choose commonly used paths.

    F. Keep others informed of your hike.

    G. Flooding and fallen trees are always a possibility.