We all have our favorite teachers——those who seem truly interested and treat us kindly. But what about teachers we don’t know or even don’t like much?

   You can do lots of things to get a good connection with your teachers. First, do the right things: show up for class on time, with all assignments completed. Be active, be respectful, and ask questions you can’t solve by yourself.

   Show an interest in the subjects. Obviously, your teachers are really interested in their subjects or they wouldn’t have decided to teach them! Showing the teachers that you care——even if you’re not a math genius or fluent in English——sends the message that you are a good student.

   You can also plan a private conference during a teacher’s free period. Use this time to get extra help, ask questions, or talk about your progress in class. You may be surprised to learn that your teacher is a bit more relaxed one-on-one than when talking in front of the whole class.

   Here are some things to avoid when you are trying to build a good relationship with your teachers:

   Not being sincere. Teachers sense it when your only goal is to get special treatment, a college reference, or a job chance.

   Trying to be teachers’ pet. Your behavior will come off as insincere and your classmates may start to resent you.

   Giving expensive gifts. It’s OK to offer some kind of gift to show your appreciation to teachers if they’ve been helpful to you. But giving expensive things could send the wrong message, and a teacher is usually not allowed to accept anything expensive.

21. The passage mainly gives advice on _________.

A. how to get good points in exams at school                

B. how to develop interest in a boring subject

C. how to choose proper gifts for your teachers             

D. how to build good teacher-student relations

22. What does the underlined word “resent” probably mean?

   A. Hate.        B. Admire.           C. Ignore.       D. Follow.

23. What’s the advantage of having a private talk with your teachers?

A. You can ask questions about personal life.  

B. Your teacher will feel relaxed to talk to you.     

C. You can make more progress than others in class.     

D. Your teacher will try hard to answer your questions.

   Thank you for choosing Yale University housing. The following information should answer questions you may have about housing services.

   Housing Office

   There is a housing office in the New Residence Hall and it is open seven days a week, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., for check-in and check-out. You can call the assistants there for any questions about housing. Telephone: 436-4119. Or if you are moving in, you can call Housekeeping at 436-4108 and ask to have your room cleaned.

   Common Room and Meeting Rooms

   The building has a common room (BO77) for the use of guests for studying and gathering. Do not leave personal things in the common room. Close any windows you open when you leave the room. The meeting rooms 223 (for 10 people) and 323 (for 18 people) each have a television and a VCR. You don’t need to reserve the common room and for reservation of meeting rooms, please call the Housing Office.

   Computer Rooms

   There are two computer rooms (221&421) in the building. They offer Macintoshes, Windows computers, and printing to guests. These computers are maintained by Yale University’s Computing Assistants (www.yale.edu/cas Tel: 436-5990). If you have any problems, for example, if there’s no printer paper, please report it to the Housing Office.

   Telephone Service

   Each room is equipped with a telephone. Your telephone number is 436-4 followed by your room number (for example, Room 112, Tel: 436-4112). To call a university number, press the last five numbers only. To make a call outside the university, press 9 first and then the number.

24. When you want to have your room cleaned in Yale University, you should call ______.

   A. 436-4119               B. 436-5990                    C. 436-4112                    D. 436-4108

25. If you can’t find any printer paper in the computer room, which number should you dial?

A. 436-4119.                     B. 436-5990.            C. 436-4112.          D. 436-4108.

26. How would you make the call if you want to call a friend at Yale University at 738-9087 while staying in Room 188?

A. Press 9, then 738-9087.                        B. Dial 9 first, then 8908.          

C. Press 89087.                                           D. Ring 9087.

27. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. You can call the Housing Office after 9 p.m.                          

B. Your personal things will be well kept in the common room.

C. You can call 436-4119 to reserve the meeting room.                               

D. Each room is equipped with a television.

   On the last day before Christmas, I hurried to go to the supermarket to buy Christmas gifts. In the supermarket, I noticed a little boy, holding a doll and looking so sad. He turned to the old woman next to him, “Granny, are you sure I don’t have enough money?” The old lady replied, “You know we don’t have enough money to buy this doll, my dear.” Then she left for something else and the boy still stood there.

   Finally, I went to the boy and asked him who he wanted to give this doll to. “It is the doll that my sister wanted so much for this Christmas. She was so sure that Father Christmas would bring it to her. ”

   I told him that maybe Father Christmas will bring it to her. But he replied to me sadly, “No, Father Christmas cannot bring it to her where she is now. I have to give the doll to my mother so that she can give it to her when she goes there. My sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mummy will also go to see God very soon, so I thought that she could bring the doll with her to give it to my sister.”

   Hearing this, I quickly reached into my wallet and took a few notes and said to the boy, “What if we checked again, just in case if you have enough money?”

   “OK,” he said, “I hope that I have enough.”

   I added some of my money to his without his seeing and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll.

   The little boy said, “Thank God for giving me enough money.”

   Then he looked at me and added, “I prayed to God yesterday before I slept to make sure I have enough money to buy this doll. He heard me.”

28. Why did the boy look so sad at the beginning of the story?

A. He lost his money.                                 B. His Granny wasn’t kind to him.

C. He didn’t get a Christmas gift.                    D. He couldn’t get the doll for his sister.

29. It can be inferred from the passage that _________.

A. the boy’s sister was ill                       B. the boy’s sister was dead

C. the boy’s mother was dead                    D. the boy’s father will die

30. What did the writer do to help the little boy?

A. He gave him a Christmas gift.                                  B. He lent him some money.

C. He gave him some money in a secret way.             D. He bought the doll for him.

31. In the end the boy thanked God instead of the writer because ________.

A. he thought it was God that had helped him

B. he thought the writer wasn’t kind enough

C. the writer did nothing to help him

D. the boy wasn’t polite enough

   For many Chinese filmgoers, the name of Stephen Chow alone is enough to draw them into the cinema for The Mermaid(《美人鱼》).

   The latest film from Hong Kong’s “King of comedy” has had a record-breaking first week, earning 1.79 billion yuan at the box office since Feb 8. It stands a good chance of replacing Monster Hunt as the highest grossing Chinese film by this weekend.

   Most mermaid films tell the story of love between humans and mermaids, and this one is no exception. But Chow, the director, writer and producer of this fantasy film, includes the theme of environmental protection into this story.

   In recent years, Chinese comedy films have relied on online words or expressions that have become fashionable or used a lot by the media to gain favor with young audiences. Chow, however, sticks to his unique “nonsense comedy” called “mo lei tau”. It’s the same style that established his popularity as an actor in the 1990s, and Chow has since adopted it to direct his films.

   While Chow’s fans may feel satisfied by his latest outing, the film failed to win over some critics. “The Mermaid is a mix of repeated jokes, poor special effects and an old-fashioned, Cinderella-style love story. It does make audiences laugh, but it is also embarrassing,” according to the most-liked review on douban.com.

   Is Chow’s style out-of-date? That’s a matter of opinion. But so far, millions upon millions of moviegoers have shown their support at the ticket counter.

32. How was the film The Mermaid at the box office?
   A. It has broken the record of this year.           

B. It has earned 1.79 billion yuan in total.

C. It is possible to replace Monster Hunt as the highest grossing Chinese film by this weekend.   

D. It has been a success on Feb 8.
33. How does The Mermaid differ from most other mermaid films?    

A. It tells the story of love between humans and mermaids.

B. It uses many fashionable online words or expressions used a lot by the media.     

C. Its director Chow adds the theme of environmental protection into this story.  

D. It tries to gain favor with young audiences.

34. Why does the film get criticism?
   A. Because Chow’s fans are disappointed at the film.                

B. Because it doesn’t make audiences laugh.

C. Because Chow’s style is out-of-date.    

D. Because someone thinks of it as an old-fashioned love story.

35. What is the author’s attitude towards Chow and the film?
   A. Negative.         B. Subjective.              C. Disapproving.               D. Objective.

   The key to dealing with test-day anxiety is through preparation!    36    It is important to prepare your mind and body for the experience of working under pressure. 

   Get some sleep. I know you’ve heard this before, but it’s often repeated because it’s so important. Get plenty of sleep the night before the test! If you don’t have enough rest, you’ll find it much harder to concentrate.    37   .

   Leave early. Be sure to leave earlier than normal on the day of a test to avoid the added fear of arriving late.    38    The embarrassment will cause you to be distracted and lose valuable time.

      39    Once you arrive at school or at the testing center, find a quiet space where you can be all alone. You can use your car if you drive, or you can find an empty locker room or office (ask a teacher). Once you locate in a quiet place, do a relaxation session. Close your eyes and try to relax completely. Take deep breath and keep calm.

      40    It’s possible that some students start to stress out as other students discuss the material. When you hear others chatting, it might sound like you skipped over something important or you misunderstood a concept. It’s probably not even true——but it can seem like it! 

A. Take a quiet moment.

B. A sleepy brain is a foggy brain!

C. Watch out for the road conditions.

D. Walking into an exam late is the last thing you need!

E. You might also find time for a quick bite during a break.

F. Don’t talk with other students in the minutes before a test.

G. But full preparation means more than knowing the test material.