Earthquakes李仕才一、阅读理解。Whenever we see a button, we want to press it because we know that something will happen.This is true in most cases, for example, on a doorbell.But some buttons are actually fake(假的), like the “close” button on a lift.Many people are in the habit of pressing the “close” button because they dont have the patience to wait.But lifts “close” buttons are a complete trick, at least in the US.the doors will not close any faster no matter how hard you press.It started in the 1990s when the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in the US., making sure that all lifts stayed open long enough so that people with disabilities could enter safely.Only repair workers can use the buttons to speed up the door closing process if they have special keys.But to normal lift riders, the buttons arent completely useless.According to psychologists, fake buttons can actually make you feel better by offering you a sense of control.“A sense of control is very important.It reduces stress and increases wellbeing，” said Ellen JLanger, a psychology professor at Harvard University.Experts also added that a lot of buttons that dont do anything exist in our lives for this same purpose.For example, pedestrian crosswalk buttons dont live up to their names either.Pressing them used to help make the traffic signals change faster, but that was before computercontrolled traffic signals were introduced.But psychologists found it interesting that even when people are aware of these little “white lies”， they still continue to push fake buttons because as long as the doors eventually close, it is considered to be worth the effort.【解题导语】本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了我们平时生活中所见到的按钮可能是不起作用的。1What is the authors purpose in writing the text?ATo describe different fake buttons.BTo explore the functions of fake buttons.CTo analyze various habits of pushing buttons.DTo explain the disadvantages of fake buttons.B解析：写作意图题。通读整篇文章可知，作者通过举例子介绍了不同地点的虚假按钮，其目的是探求这些虚假按钮的功能。故选B。2What can we learn about the “close” buttons on a lift in America?AThey work when people press them hard.BThey were designed for a sense of control.CThey never speed up the doorclosing process.DThey take the safety of the disabled into account.D解析：细节理解题。根据第三段中的第一句可知， 美国电梯里的“关闭”按钮是为了确保残疾人能安全地通过。故选D。3What can we infer about pedestrian crosswalk buttons?AThey can make people feel better.BThey help computers work faster.CThey can control the traffic signals.DThey help pedestrians cross safely.A解析：推理判断题。根据第四段中的“fake buttons can actually make you feel better by offering you a sense of control”和第六段中的“For example, pedestrian crosswalk buttons dont live up to their names either.”可知， 人行横道按钮也没有实现其功能，但可以让人们感觉好一点，故选A。4Which may be the best title for the passage?AButtons in the US.A.BButtons Always LieCButtons May Not WorkD“Close” Buttons on LiftsC解析：标题归纳题。通读全文内容可知，本文主要讲述了有些按钮只是形式上的，而不具备真正的实际功能。故C项“按钮可能不起作用”最符合文章主旨。故选C。二、单句语法填空1I _ (trap) in the heavy rain on the way to school yesterday.答案：was trappedbe trapped in “被困在”。2After she heard the news, there was an excited _ (express) on her face.答案：expression由空前的“an excited”可知，应填名词 expression “表情”。3When a fire broke out at the National Exhibition in London, at least ten priceless paintings _ (destroy)答案：were destroyed动词destroy “毁灭；毁掉”，此处表被动，且指过去发生的事情，因此用一般过去时的被动语态。4The meeting came to _ end and he set down many key points.答案：ancome to an end “结束”。5Dont forget to praise them _ (sincere) when someone does something good.答案：sincerely副词 sincerely “真诚地”，在此处修饰动词praise。6He was replaced by another midfielder because of his _ (injure)答案：injury由空前的his可知，应填名词injury “受伤；伤害”。7Thank you for your letter conveying _ (congratulate) on my appointment.答案：congratulations由空前的现在分词conveying可知，应填名词。congratulation “祝贺”，且常用复数形式。8The news of the sudden death of the young famous pianist came this morning, which made his fans _ (shock)答案：shocked此处形容词shocked “感到震惊的”作宾语补足语。9The government thinks _ (high) of his invention because it will benefit the whole country.答案：highlythink highly of “高度评价”，是固定搭配。10In a hurry, we arrived at a cabin in the mountain to shelter _ the rain.答案：fromshelter from the rain “躲雨”。三、完形填空。Im sitting at the airport watching people in the last minutes before their loved ones arrive or depart.A woman is running in circles trying to gather family members together for a _1_.When the final moment comes before _2_，she wraps her arms around her son，giving him a _3_ hug that should protect him until he _4_.I sit with a book in my hands，waiting my turn to leave _5_ because the ones I love have a different _6_ from mine.I think of other departures and arrivals.I _7_ seeing my daughter.I wrapped myself around her as if shed been _8_.That year she was in her first year at university，coming ho