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    On February 3,1931 the peace of New Zealand's Hawkes Bay region was destroyed when the area was hit by the worst earthquake in New Zealand's history.At 10:46 am on that summer's day,the quake hit with a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter scale(里氏震级).The centre of the quake lied some 15 to 20 kilometers north of the two main centers,Napier and Hastings.The quake lasted for two and a half minutes.Many people died in the earthquake.

    A fire broke out immediately after the quake.The fire started in a chemist's shop and spread quickly.Then the Fire Department in Napier came to help,but they were at a loss to control the fire as a result of losing their water supply.However,the water supply in Hastings,was still usable,allowing them to fight back against the fire.

    The force of the earthquake destroyed many of the city's famous landmarks(地标).Chunks of the coastline were thrown into the sea.Napier's Bluff Hill,a popular tourist spot,was completely destroyed and thrown into the waters below.

    Most of the major buildings in the city were completely destroyed.Roads and communications across the whole area were cut.People were afraid to enter their homes for days and found shelters at the local Motor Camp or on the beach.There were about 150 aftershocks(余震)in the 24 hours after the main shock.Over the next 2 weeks,there would be 525 such aftershocks.

  1. (1) The worst earthquake took place in New Zealand_______.
    A . at night B . in the morning C . at noon D . in the afternoon
  2. (2) The firefighters in Napier failed to put out the fire probably because_______.
    A . there was no usable water B . they couldn't get close to it C . the flames spread too quickly D . The wind was very strong
  3. (3) The last two paragraphs mainly tell us that_______.
    A . there were many places of interest in New Zealand B . the earthquake damaged the city seriously C . many famous landmarks were thrown into the sea D . people were afraid to enter their homes for sleep
  4. (4) What's the best title for this passage?
    A . The 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake B . New Zealand's two cities C . The great fire after the great earthquake D . The city's famous landmarks
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Ig Nobel Prize

    Having a meal is an easy and delightful process for most people. However, for a woodpecker (啄木鸟), it's not that simple. To get dinner, a woodpecker has to hit its head against a tree numerous times per day. Yet, amazingly, it never suffers any ill effects like brain damage. According to research, it is the woodpecker's thick head bones that protect it from the impact of the blows. For explaining that, Ivan Schwab won an Ig Nobel Prize.

    Ig Nobel Prizes are organized by The Annals of Improbable Research, an American magazine that celebrates the funny side of science. Each year, ten winners are awarded prizes in honor of their “achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think”. Most of the award-winning research, like Schwab's, may seem unusual, but it usually grabs people's attention indeed. And no matter how ridiculous the research sounds, people can find it inspiring and amusing.

    Brian Wansink's research might interest you. He took home an Ig Nobel Prize for looking into the influence of visual factors on people's appetites. He used specially designed bowls that refilled themselves with soup while people were eating. Since these people had no idea this was happening, they just kept eating from these “bottomless bowls”. They said they didn't feel full because their bowls were not empty yet. People in this experiment ate 73 percent more soup than normal. Owing to these results, Wansink concluded that it's not people's stomachs that decide when they have eaten enough, but their eyes.

    Ig Nobel Prizes also give attention to science and technology that is a part of our daily lives. Take the karaoke machine for example. Its inventor Daisuke Inoue was employed at a nightclub, playing the piano for the customers who wanted to sing. He wasn't skillful enough to play all the songs properly. To clear up the problem, he created the karaoke machine. To Inoue's surprise, the machine caused considerable changes in entertainment worldwide. The Ig Nobel Prize was awarded to Inoue not only because his invention was entertaining, but also because it brought about “an entirely new way for people to learn to tolerate each other”.

    These research results of Ig Nobel Prizes may not be as great as Edison's light bulb or Newton's laws of motion. However, they do show people's willingness to take action and to try new ways to solve problems. According to Marc Abrahams, a founder of the Ig Nobel Prizes. “If you win one, it means that you have done something.”

  1. (1) Why did Ivan Schwab win an Ig Nobel Prize?
    A . His discovery can be applied in daily life. B . His research result benefits the environment. C . He invented a new way to avoid the impact of blows. D . He found why woodpeckers could be free from brain damage.
  2. (2) What is mainly talked about in Paragraph 3?
    A . Why Ig Nobel Prizes can get people's trust. B . Why people's eyes decide their stomachs. C . Why Wansink won an Ig Nobel Prize. D . Why visual research interests people.
  3. (3) The Ig Nobel Prize awarded to Daisuke Inoue suggests ________.
    A . Ig Nobel Prize's inventions can easily become popular B . Ig Nobel Prize winners are familiar with entertainment C . most Ig Nobel Prize's inventions are created by accident D . Ig Nobel Prizes may go to inventions with global influence
  4. (4) What do the research results of Ig Nobel Prizes have in common?
    A . They are related to everyday life. B . They solve problems in people's work. C . They seem unexpected but meaningful. D . They are ridiculous and hard to understand.
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    Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is an important ecological screen for the north of China and even the whole country. Building a green great wall to ensure China's ecological security is one of the most important things of autonomous region.

The largest ecological function zone in the north of China, Inner Mongolia has a variety of landscapes, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, rivers and lakes. In recent years, the region's environment has improved, with its forest and grassland area having increased and desert reduced.

    However, it still faces a number of challenges in ecological preservation. For instance, the region faces severe water shortages with the number of lakes dropping from 427 in 1987 to 145 in 2010. In addition to a lack of rainfall, huge water consumption in agricultural and industrial production has worsened the water shortage. Too much use of fertilizers has damaged the soil and affected the growth of grass, accelerating the expansion of the desert, which results from a lack of water.

The local government encourages planting trees on grassland as they can get more pay for trees than by growing grass. However, the trees they plant often have a low survival rate as they have a high water consumption rate. Also, to treat wetlands, some areas have planted a large number of a single tree species. This practice may damage biodiversity (生物多样性) and endanger the survival of certain animals.

Experts suggest taking the region's water resources and weather conditions into consideration in future ecological projects.

  1. (1) What do we know about the green great wall in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region?
    A . It adds the beautiful scenery to this area. B . It acts as a guard to protect the north of China. C . It works well in saving the endangered animals. D . It contributes to the decrease of the grassland.
  2. (2) What does the third paragraph mainly talk about?
    A . The causes of water shortages. B . The protection of ecological environment. C . The solutions to water shortages. D . The importance of ecological environment.
  3. (3) What does the underlined word “accelerating” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?
    A . weakening B . shortening C . lessening D . quickening
  4. (4) What's the author's purpose of writing the text?
    A . To tell the function of the green great wall. B . To introduce the green great wall to the readers. C . To provide guidance on traveling around Inner Mongolia. D . To offer some advice on building the green great wall.
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    People love cellphones, which is why nine in ten Americans own one. But does heavy use of cellphones pose a risk of cancer? This question has caused controversy for many years. A new study in rats now augments those concerns. Its data linked long-term, intense exposure to radiation from cellphones with an increased risk of cancer in the heart or brain. The results have yet to be confirmed, the authors note.

    Indeed, although the rat study found a link between cellphone radiation and cancer, it offers no clues to why such a link might exist, notes Jonathan Samet. He teaches preventative medicine and directs the Institute for Global Health at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Still, he calls the new study's findings “significant”.They could lead to studies researching how cellphone radiation might cause cancer, he says.

    Phone signals are relayed between cell towers and cellphones via radio waves. This radio frequency—or RF—radiation is a type known as non-ionizing (非电离的).Unlike X-rays, non-ionizing radiation does not deposit enough energy into cells to release electrons from atoms or molecules, producing ions. So it tends to be far less harmful than ionizing radiation, such as X-rays. But that does not mean radio waves might not cause harm.

    In very large doses (量) this radiation will heat the body and cause tissue damage. But it's not yet known what much lower RF levels might do, such as those from cellphone use. Five years ago, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer, or IARC, concluded that cellphone use “is possibly carcinogenic (致癌的)”.

    Its conclusion was based on what little research data was available at that time. But notice that IARC was not certain. It said only that phone use might “possibly” cause cancer. So scientists at the National Toxicology Program, or NTP, investigated further.

  1. (1) Which of the following can replace the underlined word “augments”?
    A . figures out B . puts out C . refers to D . adds to
  2. (2) In which aspect does Jonathan Samet think the new study in rats is significant?
    A . It assists him with his teaching. B . It indicates a new research direction. C . It warns people to mind cellphone safety. D . It makes a breakthrough in cancer research.
  3. (3) What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?
    A . How phone signals are delivered. B . How cellphones produce radiation. C . Features of radiation from cellphones. D . Differences between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
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    What's fiercer than a lion? The honey badger (蜜獾), one of the toughest mammals in Africa and western Asia. Honey badgers stand less than a foot high. They are only a couple feet long. They weigh just over 20 pounds. Yet they have a reputation for toughness that is far greater than their size.

    So what makes the honey badger so tough? They have speed, but so do many animals. They aren't stronger than lions, so how do they stop them? The thing that sets the honey badge apart is their skin. Their skin is thick and tough. Arrows, spears, and bites from other animals can rarely go through it. Not only is their skin thick and tough, it is also loose. This allows them to twist and turn to fight back while another animal is attacking them.

    Honey badgers have long, sharp claws. These claws are good for attacking and even better for digging. Honey badgers are some of nature's most skilled diggers. They can dig a nine-foot tunnel into hard ground in about 10 minutes. They love to catch a meal by digging up the holes of frogs and snakes. They also use their digging skills to create their homes. They live in small holes in the ground and defend them fiercely.

    You don't get a reputation like the honey badger by running from danger. The honey badger is a fearless and tireless fighter. They will attack any creature that threatens them, man included. Because of the honey badger's reputation, most predators (食肉动物) avoid them. Some animals use the honey badger's reputation to their advantage. Adult cheetahs (猎豹) have spotted coats, but their kittens have silver manes (鬃毛) and look like honey badgers. Some scientists believe that their coloring tricks predators into avoiding them.

    You might be wondering: "If honey badgers are so tough, how did they get a name that makes them sound like a piece of candy?" The answer makes sense. Since honey badgers have such thick skin, bees rarely harm them. So honey badgers love to attack beehives(蜂窝). Honey badgers run after honey so aggressively that beekeepers in Africa have to use electric fencing to hold them back. There's nothing sweet about that.

  1. (1) What contributes to honey badgers' toughness?
    A . Their skin. B . Their speed. C . Their weight. D . Their strength.
  2. (2) Which best express the main idea of Paragraph 3?
    A . Honey badgers use their claws to defend their homes. B . Honey badgers love to dig up holes to hide their food. C . Honey badgers' digging skills assist them in many ways. D . Honey badgers' claws are powerful weapons for fighting.
  3. (3) What does the underlined word "them" in Paragraph 4 refer to?
    A . Silver manes B . Honey badgers C . Adult cheetahs D . Young cheetahs
  4. (4) According to the text, honey badgers got their name _____.
    A . From their taste for honey. B . Because they are fond of candy. C . From the sweet taste of their meat. D . Because they look sweet and charming.
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    Have you ever been faced with trying to stay positive when others around you are negative? A negative person can bring you down and throw your positive plans out of the window. Whether you deal with a family member, friend or co-worker who is negative, there are things you can do to remain positive in the face of negativity?

    Whatever you do, don't argue with a negative person. Arguing only adds fuel to the fire. I have noticed when my children are crabby, it is best to avoid trying to ask them to analyze and adjust their attitude. As soon as I take the approach of being in opposition to them, the situation gets worse before it gets better. Sometimes the best thing to do is remain silent and let negativity pass.

    You know how difficult it can be to give love and positive attention to negative people. Unfortunately, that is often exactly what they need. A negative person is usually afraid he is unlovable. How do you show love when someone is negative? You must listen to what he is trying to tell you. Acknowledge the feelings he has by saying something like, "You sound very angry right now." How might you help a negative person? Offer a hug even if you get rejected. A negative person often has difficulty accepting love from others.

    If you have negative people on your life who are affecting your mental and physical health, you need to decide whether or not you want these people in your life. Some people are so negative that you have no other choice but to separate them from your life. However, some people, such as your children, are difficult to remove from your life, in this case, professional counseling(咨询) may be the answer.

  1. (1) What does the underlined word "crabby" in Para.2 mean?
    A . Quite excited. B . Very lonely. C . Easily angry. D . Highly optimistic.
  2. (2) What's the main idea of Para.3?
    A . Negative people need care. B . Negative people make us happy. C . Negative people can be hurt easily. D . Negative people are hard to get along with.
  3. (3) What does the author suggest doing?
    A . Focusing on positive things. B . Trying to change negative thoughts. C . Controlling our own negative thoughts. D . Staying away from some negative people.
  4. (4) In which section of a magazine can we most probably read the text?
    A . Health. B . Relationships. C . Education. D . Science.
阅读理解

    Slowly but surely  we're moving closer and closer to 5G world. From smart-home security to self-driving cars, all the internet-connected devices in your life will be able to talk to each other at lightning-fast speeds with reduced delay, Objectively speaking, the fastest 4G download speeds in the U. S. top out at an average of 19.42 Mbps. But by comparison 5G promises gigabit (千兆) speeds.

    “5G is one of those signs, along with artificial intelligence, of this coming data age,” said Steve Koenig, senior director of market research for the Consumer Technology Association. “The self-driving vehicle is a great emblem of this data age, and that is to say, it is a sign of time, because with one single task, driving, you have massive amounts of data coming from the vehicle itself, and a variety of sensors are collecting a lot of information to model its environment as it moves. It's pulling in data from other vehicles about road conditions down the lane. It could be weather information, but also connected infrastructure (基础设施) construction. There's lots of data behind that task, which is why we need high speed.

    Augmented reality glasses and virtual headset haven't yet broken the mainstream, but tech companies are joyfully betting that these devices will eventually replace our smartphones. With 5G, that could actually happen. This is notable because companies such as Apple are reportedly developing AR glasses to assist — or perhaps even replace — smartphones.

    Ericsson stated at February's Mobile World Congress how smart glasses could become faster and lighter with a 5G connection, because instead of being weighed down with components, the glasses could rely on hardware for processing power.

    But don't get too excited. There's still a lot of work to be done in the meantime, including various trials to make sure the radios play nicely with hardware and infrastructure construction so 5G isn't concentrated only in big cities.

  1. (1) What does the author want to stress in Paragraph 1?
    A . The lighting-fast speed of 5G. B . The expectation of 5G world. C . The difference between 4G and 5G. D . The internet-connected devices in our life.
  2. (2) What does the underlined word "emblem" in Paragraph 2 mean?
    A . Exhibition. B . Success. C . Symbol. D . Explanation.
  3. (3) We can infer from the text that ________.
    A . 5G world won't come without AR glasses B . 5G helps to create the artificial intelligence vehicle C . Apple company is developing AR glasses worldwide D . Tech companies will face the fact that smartphones may be replaced
  4. (4) What will the author probably tell us next?
    A . How to fully expand 5G coverage. B . Smart glasses will become faster and lighter. C . Why 5G isn't concentrated in big cities. D . The importance of infrastructure construction.
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中,选出最佳选项。

    Living and dealing with kids can be a tough job these days, but living and dealing with parents can be even tougher.

    If I have learned anything in my 16 years, it is that communication is very important, both when you disagree and when you get along. With any relationship, you need to let other person know how you are feeling. If you are not able to communicate, you drift apart. When you are mad at your parents, or anyone else, not talking to them doesn't solve anything.

    Communication begins with the concerns (关心) of another. It means that you can't just come home from school, go up to your room and ignore (不理睬) everyone. Even if you just say "Hi", and see how their day was for five minutes, it is better than nothing.

    If you looked up the word "communication" in a dictionary, it would say "the exchange of ideas, the conveyance (表达) of information, correspondence (通信), means of communication: a letter or a message". To maintain (保持) a good relationship, you must keep communication strong. Let people know how you feel, even if it's just by writing a note.

    When dealing with parents, you always have to make them feel good about how they are doing as a parent. If you are trying to make them see something as you see it, tell them that you'll listen to what they have to say, but ask them politely to listen to you. Yelling or walking away only makes the situation worse.

    This is an example: one night, Sophie went to a street party with her friends. She knew she had to be home by midnight after the fireworks, but she didn't feel she could just ask to go home. That would be rude. After all, they had been nice enough to take her along with them. Needless to say, she was late getting home. Her parents were mad at first, not when Sophie explained why she was late, they weren't as mad and let the incident go. Communication is the key factor here. If Sophie's parents had not been willing to listen, Sophie would have been in a lot of trouble.

    Communication isn't a one-way deal: it goes both ways. Just remember: if you get into a situation like Sophie's, telling the other person how you feel-listening is the key factor to communication.

  1. (1) In the writer's view, dealing with parents is ________ than with children.
    A . more difficult B . easier C . more uninteresting D . more interesting
  2. (2) The main idea of the second paragraph is ________.
    A . the importance of friendship B . to make your feeling known to others C . the importance of communication D . the disagreement between generations
  3. (3) When parents and children are in communication, the key to a happy relationship is that ________.
    A . children should always obey their parents B . they should be equal C . parents play the leading part D . both make the opposite know their feelings
  4. (4) The example in this passage proves that ________.
    A . Sophie's parents are willing to listen to her B . Sophie is very polite to her parents C . Sophie did well in explaining her being late D . communication is the solution (解决办法) to misunderstanding
阅读理解

    Christmas is a time for eating great food, giving and receiving presents, and most importantly spending time with your family watching some classic Christmas movies.

    The Grinch (2000)

    This is a Christmas must­watch and one of Jim Carrey's best performances. It was also originally a nursery tale book written by Dr Seuss. It's the story of a green monster who wants to ruin Christmas but who in the end discovers the power of love and generosity. I promise it's a great film with plenty of laughs along the way.

    Love Actually (2003)

    While this is not a personal favourite of mine, people in the UK absolutely love this film. It has many featuring actors and actresses. It might be a little difficult to follow as there are complex plots, so I recommend watching a translated version or enabling subtitles (字幕) in your native language. However, the heart­warming elements of the film make it worth watching.

    Home Alone (1990)

    This amusing masterwork is one of my favourite films of all time. It tells the story of a boy, Kevin, who is left alone in his house when his large family forgets to take him on vacation with them. While the families are away, burglars try to rob the house and Kevin must protect his home by setting traps. The trips, falls and traps will have you laughing out loud as you watch a 10­year­old boy beat two grown men.

    Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

You can't have Christmas in an English­speaking country without watching this movie. It's not funny like Home Alone or The Grinch, but it is incredibly touching. It's about a man who claims to be Santa, but nobody believes him except a lawyer and a little girl. The story­line may seem a little childish but you can enjoy it at any age.

  1. (1) Which film is adapted from a fairy tale?
    A . Home Alone B . The Grinch. C . Love Actually. D . Miracle on 34th Street.
  2. (2) What is Home Alone mainly about?
    A . An unsuccessful family vacation. B . A 10­year­old boy's practical jokes. C . A terrible suffering to a little boy. D . A boy protecting home by himself.
  3. (3) Why is Miracle on 34th Street so popular?
    A . For its famous actors and actresses. B . Because of its funny story. C . Due to its childish storyline. D . Owing to its moving plots.
阅读理解

    On her first morning in America, last summer, my daughter went out to explore her new neighborhood alone.

    Of course we were worried; we had just moved from Berlin, and she was just 8. But when she came home, we realized we had no reason to worry. She told us with pride how she had discovered the little park around the corner, and had made friends with a few local dog owners.

    When this story comes up in conversations with American friends, we are usually met with polite disbelief.

    A study by the University of California has found that American kids spend 90 percent of their free time at home, often watching TV or playing video games. Even when kids are physically active, they are watched closely by adults, either in school, at home, at afternoon activities or in the car. It seems that America's middle class has taken overprotective parenting to a new level, with the government even acting as a super nanny.

    Just take the example of the case of 10-year-old Rafi and 6-year-old Dvora Meitiv in 2015, in Silver Spring, Maryland, who were picked up by the police because their parents had dared to allow them to walk home from the park alone. The state's Child Protective Services said their parents were guilty.

    In reality, child abductions (绑架) by strangers in Silver Spring park are as rare as tiger attacks. Children are overprotected, which encourages dependency and affects their abilities to care for themselves and weigh risks. Mark Hemingway writes in The Federalist, "You know what it's called when kids make mistakes without adult supervision (监督) and have to struggle with the possible results? Growing up."

    At least, parents who want to give their children more room to walk around shouldn't be punished. Children are not easily damaged objects to be protected at all times.

  1. (1) Why does the author mention his daughter's experience?
    A . To express his worry about her safety. B . To share the happiness of her growing up. C . To show she has the space to take risks alone. D . To encourage us to learn about the environment.
  2. (2) What does Paragraph 4 mainly tell us?
    A . How American kids are raised at present. B . Why many American kids like staying home. C . The necessity of supervising kids in America. D . The weaknesses of the American school system.
  3. (3) How is the text mainly developed?
    A . By telling an interesting story. B . By using examples to explain. C . By pointing out similarities and differences. D . By showing the effect and then explaining the causes.
阅读理解

    Iceland is a large island. In fact, it's the world's 18th largest island. Most of the population, however, lives in the southwestern part of the country, in or around the capital city of Reykjavik. By its very name, you'd expect Iceland to be mostly ice. Looking at Iceland on a map, you'll notice it sits just outside the Arctic Circle. Despite this location and its name, Iceland actually has a temperate climate, because it is warmed by the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream also helps keep Iceland's coastal ports ice-free through the winter.

    There is plenty of ice on Iceland, though. The country consists of a large plateau(高原)that includes fields of sand, mountains and glaciers. Over 60% of Iceland is tundra(苔原). About 14% of Iceland is lakes and glaciers. Only about 24% of the country has plants or vegetation of any kind, which covers a vast area in the south of the country.

    Iceland was settled in the late 800s and early 900s by Norsemen from the Scandinavian country of Norway. Other settlers also came from Ireland and Scotland. From the 13th century up until 1918, Iceland was part of the Norwegian and later Danish monarchies. For most of that time, the small Icelandic population depended upon fishing and farming to make a living. For hundreds of years, Iceland was one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. After World War II, international aid and industrialization of the fishing industry turned Iceland into one of the wealthiest countries in the world. In 1994, Iceland became part of the European Economic Area(经济区), which allowed its economy to grow even more.

Iceland boasts one of the youngest islands in the world. Surtsey rose out of the ocean during a series of volcanic eruptions between 1963 and 1968. Today, only scientists who study the growth of new life can occasionally visit the volcanic island of Surtsey.

  1. (1) What can we know about Iceland according to the passage?
    A . It lies in the Arctic Circle. B . Its capital city is very crowded C . Many people live in the east. D . It has a fairly mild temperature.
  2. (2) What is mainly talked about in the third paragraph?
    A . Iceland's history. B . Iceland's geography. C . Iceland's economy. D . Iceland's politics.
  3. (3) What can we infer about Surtsey from the last paragraph?
    A . People live on fishing. B . No human beings live there at all. C . There are many visitors. D . Science is developing fast there.
阅读理解

    Morten Petersen used to live in a windowless basement flat in Copenhagen.  If he didn't get out in the daytime, he would lose track of time and start becoming annoyed and depressed. "When you are living in a basement with only artificial light, it becomes very clear that something is lacking,'' he says. "It's an emotional,physical and mental thing all combined. "

    You can say that again. Our lifestyles have rapidly changed with light. Prior to the invention of gas lighting at the turn of the 19th century, the only artificial light we could rely on was from flickering firelight, candles or whale-oil lamps. People also spent many more of their waking hours outside. Over time,the technology of artificial light has been advancing,thus changing the way people live and work.

    Today, the average westerner spends 90 per cent of their life indoors. That means we are getting less light during the day and being exposed to more light at night. This pattern is increasingly being linked to disturbed sleep and circadian rhythms — 24-hour changes in our biology and behavior — with consequences for our physical and mental health. Meanwhile, getting too little sunlight is contributing to vitamin D shortage and may be weakening our immune and cardiovascular systems as well.

    Our changed relationship with the sun is greatly affecting our biology .That's why people like Petersen are being taken in by researchers to help investigate how much damage we do by shying away from the light, and just how much light we need. The good news is that researchers are finding even small increases in your exposure to bright light will bring about great changes to your health.

  1. (1) Why is Morten Petersen mentioned in paragraph 1?
    A . To explain a reason. B . To state an opinion. C . To introduce the topic. D . To offer background information.
  2. (2) What is mainly discussed in paragraph 2?
    A . People's outdoor activities. B . Relationship between people. C . The origin of gas lighting. D . The influence of light.
  3. (3) What is the consequence of too much exposure to indoor light?
    A . A small increase in vitamin D. B . Physical and mental disorders. C . More time spent outdoors. D . More quality sleep.
  4. (4) What is the best title for the text?
    A . Come out for more sunlight! B . Never live in a basement! C . Lifestyles have changed greatly. D . Artificial light makes a difference.
阅读理解

From self-driving cars to carebots (care +robots) for elderly people, rapid development in technology has long represented a possible threat (威胁) to many jobs normally performed by people. But experts now believe that almost 50 percent of occupations existing today will be completely unnecessary by 2025 as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to change businesses.

"The next fifteen years will see a revolution in how we work, and a revolution will necessarily take place in how we plan and think about workplaces," said Peter Andrew, Director of Workplace Strategy for CBRE Asia-Pacific. A growing number of jobs in the future will require creative intelligence, social skills and the ability to use artificial intelligence.

The report is based on interviews with 200 experts, business leaders and young people from Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America. It shows that in the US technology already destroys more jobs than it creates. But the report states, "Losing occupations does not necessarily mean losing jobs—just changing what people do." Growth in new jobs could occur as much, according to the research. "The growth of companies that have the speed and technological know-how will directly challenge big companies," it states.

A 2014 report by Pew Research found 52 percent of experts in artificial intelligence and robotics were optimistic about the future and believed there would still be enough jobs in the next few years. The optimists pictured "a future in which robots do not take the place of more jobs than they create," according to Aaron Smith, the report's co-author.

"Technology will continue to affect jobs, but more jobs seem likely to be created. Although there have always been unemployed people, when we reached a few billion people there were billions of jobs. There is no shortage of things that need to be done and that will not change," Microsoft's Jonathan Grudin told researchers.

  1. (1) What is the first paragraph mainly about?
    A . The result of job reduction. B . The fast development of AI. C . The future life of elderly people. D . The influence of technology on jobs.
  2. (2) What will people most probably do in the future?
    A . Take the place of AI. B . Work in a traditional way. C . Take up jobs requiring creativity. D . Enjoy life without working anymore.
  3. (3) What can be known from Grudin's words in the last paragraph?
    A . Job unemployment will stay high. B . More jobs tend to appear in the future. C . Job competition is likely to grow fiercer. D . Technology will have less control over jobs.
  4. (4) What is the best title for the text?
    A . Are People Losing Their Jobs? B . The Requirements for Future Jobs C . The Challenging Life in the Future D . Does Technology Simplify Everything?
阅读理解

I'd been retired for four years, when a friend suggested university. I thought he was joking—I was rubbish at school and failed my 11-plus. But we love to compete over Mastermind and University challenge, and he thought I'd make it. And he was absolutely right!

I did a foundation course first, which was part time at the University Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC), two nights a week and the odd Saturday. I did quite well, and that gave me the confidence to do a full time, three year degree. I'm passionate about art and I always wanted to be here for the journey and not the destination. That sounds really corny, but it was the truth in my case.

Initially it was a bit strange fitting in with my course mates. They were all 18, straight out of sixth form or college. Over time, though, they've all been fine — now, we all get on really well and there is no issue. I've made plenty of friends as a member of the mature students society, and I do some volunteering through the LLC, chatting to prospective students about my experience of coming to university. I tell them my story and basically encourage them to give it a go because you've got nothing to lose. I like to think I've convinced a few of them.

I have no regrets at all. Enrolling in university was the best piece of advice I've received in years, especially post-retirement. I needed routine in my life; I needed purpose. I'm not going to spend my day in the bookies or the pub. If you've got a passion for something, you should pursue it.

  1. (1) What do we learn from Paragraph 1?
    A . The author often competed with his friend at university, B . The author was satisfied with his performance at school, C . The advice of his friend was a big challenge for the author. D . The author's friend told a joke when suggesting university.
  2. (2) What was it that made him determined to pursue a full time degree?
    A . His long held passion for art. B . His boring retirement life. C . His success in the foundation course. D . His desire to travel to the destination.
  3. (3) What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?
    A . How he got along with his course mates B . How he helped his friends at university. C . What activities he took part in at school D . What he experienced as a volunteer.
  4. (4) Which of the following can serve as the title of the passage?
    A . Knowledge is power. B . It's never too old to learn. C . Failure is the mother of success. D . A friend in need is a friend indeed.
阅读理解

California researchers have found that oxygen levels and water temperatures play a key role in the health of deep-sea fish populations.

Scientists studied fish on the floor of the Gulf (海湾) of California. "This is an example of some of the video that we are analyzing for this research," said Natalya Gallo, a post-doctoral researcher at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She pointed to a video taken along the seafloor on the Gulf of California near the Mexican coast. The film came from a remotely controlled submarine.

Researchers use the underwater tool to calculate the influence of a warming ocean on fish. "The really big question that we're trying to answer is how sensitive deep-sea communities (群落), and in general ocean communities are going to be to these changes," Gallo said.

Gallo and the other researchers on the team studied the northern gulf, which is closer to normal ocean conditions and the southern gulf, which has one of the planet's most extreme low oxygen ocean zones.

The findings will help scientists understand changes in other places. As the ocean gets hotter, the warmer water is not capable of holding the same amount of oxygen. "We know that oxygen is declining in the ocean globally," said Lisa Levin, a Scripps Institution of Oceanography, biological oceanographer. "And that the really low oxygen zones, oxygen minimum zones are expanding as the ocean warms."

Scientists already expect certain outcomes from climate-related changes. "The body size of animals will get lower as the ocean warms and the oxygen declines and overall, the oceans will become less productive," Levin said. The research findings are published in the current edition of the Journal Marine Ecology Progress Series.

  1. (1) What is the purpose of Gallo's research?
    A . To measure the temperature of sea water. B . To show the body condition of deep-sea fish. C . To calculate the amount of oxygen in the sea. D . To evaluate the effect of ocean warming on fish.
  2. (2) Why do researchers study the southern gulf?
    A . It has normal ocean conditions. B . It has special ocean zones. C . It has a relatively mild climate. D . It has various kinds of fish.
  3. (3) What is the last paragraph mainly about?
    A . The methods of protecting the sea. B . The influence of the warmer oceans. C . The steps of investigating the ocean. D . The causes of the warming of sea water.
阅读理解

Video conferencing has been around for more than 20 years. Until the Covid-19 pandemic, though, you would find that many people needing to attend a meeting remotely would be calling from a real conference room full of their teammates. Today, we're routinely holding video conferences that are 100% virtual (虚拟).And this is creating a problem that technology can't fix.

The problem is us, specifically the fact that we haven't evolved socially to the point where we can bear much separation. So much of our well-being and work productivity is decided on how close we are physically. The removal of that for any period of time can be severely damaging. One surprising victim of social distancing is laughter

Normally people laugh about 18 times per day. And 97% of that time we're laughing with others - we are 30 times more likely to laugh with others than to laugh alone. Think about it: how often when you and your friends laugh at something, is that something actually funny? Research shows that 80% of what people laugh at is really not that funny.

So why do people laugh? They laugh in order to laugh with others. Just as everyone starts yawning (打哈欠) when just one person yawns, most people can't help but laugh when those around them do. This is why TV comedy shows often use prerecorded laugh tracks.

Laughing in response to other people's laughing is not just a behavioral phenomenon. When we laugh, our body produces two key chemicals: endorphin which helps relieve pain and sets off feelings of pleasure, and dopamine which can improve learning, motivation and attention. In fact, studies show that people can stand 15% more pain simply by laughing for a few minutes beforehand. Laughter is also associated with higher motivation and productivity at work.

In today's home-alone, virtual-team world, this is exactly what you as a team leader should be doing: for your team members to stay healthy and productive, you need to get them to laugh more and stress less.

  1. (1) What is the problem mentioned at the start of the text?
    A . Physical weakness. B . Lack of technology. C . Social distancing. D . Reliance or virtual conference.
  2. (2) The underlined word "This" in paragraph 4 refers to the fact that ___________.
    A . laugh tracks are popular B . laughing is uncontrollable C . laughing starts with yawning D . laughing comes more easily in groups
  3. (3) What is paragraph 5 mainly about?
    A . Why laughing is important to work. B . How laughing keeps us physically healthy. C . Whether laughing is a behavioral phenomenon. D . What chemicals our body produces when we laugh
  4. (4) What would the author most probably discuss next?
    A . Concrete steps to produce laughter in a team. B . Other factors that may influence a team's health. C . Ways to tell the real world from the virtual world. D . The importance of maintaining work productivity.
阅读理解

With low temperature, radiation and high-energy particles (粒子), the vacuum of space is nothing but harsh. Can you imagine spending six hours walking in apace? Chinese astronauts did just that on their latest spacewalk.

On Aug 20, Chinese astronauts Liu Boming and Nie Haisheng went out on the second spacewalk of the Shenzhou XII mission, according to the China Manned Apace Agency. The pair set up and adjusted equipment, showed their spacesuits and tested the large robotic arm and other spacewalk-related devices.

Despite the astronauts' skill, spacewalking is a challenging task. Luckily, their bulky (臃肿的) spacesuits protect them. A spacesuit is like a small space station. It has everything astronauts need when they carry out a spacewalk.

China's Feitian spacesuits have six layers. The innermost layer collects astronauts' urine (尿液).There are also four layers that help control the temperature and air pressure inside the suit. Spacesuits are filled with air, so they look like they're puffed up (膨胀).The sixth layer is made of special fibers that protect astronauts from radiation, according to The Paper.

Astronauts are connected to the space station with safety ropes. The suit has headphones and speakers for astronauts to communicate. There is also a mirror on the wrist that astronauts can use to check their suits.

The first Feitian suit was made in 2008. Zhai Zhigang wore it to carry out China's first spacewalk, which lasted about 19 minutes.

The suits Chinese astronauts wear today are the second generation of Feitian. They can support longer walks lasting up to eight hours and can be used more often. The first generation could only be used five times within two years, while the second generation can be used 15 times within three years. Each suit costs around 30 million yuan, and it takes four months to make just one, according to If eng News.

  1. (1) Who was the first Chinese astronaut walking in space?
    A . Liu Boming. B . Nie Haisheng. C . Zhai Zhigang. D . Yang Liwei.
  2. (2) What can we infer from the text?
    A . Chinese astronauts carried out a 6-hour-spacewalk during the Shenzhou XII mission. B . The six layers of Feitian suits are the most important devices related to spacewalk. C . Chinese astronauts are helping control temperature and radiation in space. D . The space station provide everything for the astronauts walking in space.
  3. (3) What is the last paragraph mainly about?
    A . Eight hours' walk in space. B . Amazing use of Feitian suits. C . The high price of Feitian suits. D . Two generations of Feitian suits.
  4. (4) What can be a suitable title for the text?
    A . Chinese Astronauts B . Walking in Space C . The Development of Feitian Suits D . The Shenzhou XII Mission
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的A,B,C和D四个选项中选出最佳选项。

Forgiveness is important in children and adults for restoring relationships and limiting future conflicts. A recent study suggests that teaching children to understand other people's perspectives could make it easier for them to learn how to forgive other people. The study also found that teaching children to make sincere apologies can help them receive forgiveness from others.

Mulvey, an associate professor of psychology at North Carolina State University, led the study. Her team enlisted 185 children, aged between 5 and 14 , in the study. Researchers conducted in an interview with each child that collected background information and assessed the child's "theory of mind" skills. Theory of mind is your ability to understand that someone else's beliefs, intentions and desires are different from your own.

Researchers then led each child through a series of scenarios (设想情况) involving other children who are "in group" and "out group." Specifically, each participant was told they were part of a group, such as the green team. During interviews, researchers described some children as also being on the green team (making them in-group), while other children were on the yellow team (making them out-group). In each scenario, interviewers asked study participants whether they were willing to forgive a group that left them out of a game or activity.

There were three main findings. First, children are more likely to forgive someone if he / she has apologized. Second, children are more likely to forgive people who are "in group." Third, the more advanced a child's theory of mind skills are, the more likely they are to forgive others.

The researchers identified two things that parents and teachers may want to focus on related to forgiveness. One is helping kids understand how important it is to apologize in a meaningful way. The second focus area is helping kids understand the perspectives of other people, even if they are different from you.

Mulvey says, "One of the biggest implications of our study is that teachers and parents need to actively help children cultivate theory of mind skills, which will aid them in navigating a diverse and complex world in the future."

  1. (1) What do we know about the study participants?
    A . They were divided into two groups based on the age. B . They needed to offer some of their personal information. C . They had to fill in a questionnaire about real-life situations. D . They took part in a game or activity before each interview.
  2. (2) According to the study, children are more likely to forgive others.
    A . from higher social backgrounds B . having the habit of apologizing C . with better theory of mind skills D . belonging to a different group
  3. (3) What is the last paragraph mainly about?
    A . The possible effect of the study. B . The limitation of the study. C . The theoretical basis of the study. D . The focus of future studies.
  4. (4) Which of the following is the best title for the text?
    A . Forgiveness Helps Children to Limit Future Conflicts B . Forgiveness: What Should Teachers And Parents Focus on? C . Study Outlines Ways to Help Children Learn Forgiveness D . Are You Willing to Forgive Others Or Receive Forgiveness?
阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中选出最佳选项。

Does Fame Drive You Crazy?

Although being famous might sound like a dream come true, today's star, feeling like zoo animals, face pressures that few of us can imagine. They are at the center of much of the world's attention. Paparazzi (狗仔队) camp outside their homes, cameras ready. Tabloids (小报) publish thrilling stories about their personal lives. Just imagine not being able to do anything without being photographed or interrupted for a signature.

According to psychologist Christina Villareal, celebrities — famous people — worry constantly about their public appearance. Eventually, they start to lose track of who they really are, seeing themselves the way their fans imagine them, not as the people they were before everyone knew their names. “Over time,” Villareal says, “they feel separated and alone.”

The phenomenon of tracking celebrities has been around for ages. In the 4th century B.C., painters followed Alexander the Great into battle, hoping to picture his victories for his admirers. When Charles Dickens visited America in the 19th century, his sold-out readings attracted thousands of fans, leading him to complain about his lack of privacy. Tabloids of the 1920s and 1930s ran articles about film-stars in much the same way that modern tabloids and websites do.

Being a public figure today, however, is a lot more difficult than it used to be. Superstars cannot move about without worrying about photographers with modern cameras. When they say something silly or do something ridiculous, there is always the Internet to spread the news in minutes and keep their “story” alive forever.

If fame is so troublesome, why aren't all celebrities running away from it? The answer is there are still ways to deal with it. Some stars stay calm by surrounding themselves with trusted friends and family or by escaping to remote places away from big cities. They focus not on how famous they are but on what they love to do or whatever made them famous in the first place.

Sometimes a few celebrities can get a little justice. Still, even stars who enjoy full justice often complain about how hard their lives are. They are tired of being famous already.

  1. (1) It can be learned from the passage that stars today ________.
    A . are often misunderstood by the public B . can no longer have their privacy protected C . spend too much on their public appearance D . care little about how they have come into fame
  2. (2) What is the main idea of Paragraph 3?
    A . Great heroes of the past were generally admired. B . The problem faced by celebrities has a long history. C . Well-known actors are usually targets of tabloids. D . Works of popular writers often have a lot of readers.
  3. (3) What makes it much harder to be a celebrity today?
    A . Availability of modern media. B . Lack of social recognition. C . Lack of favorable chances. D . Huge population of fans.
  4. (4) What is the author's attitude toward modern celebrity?
    A . Sincere. B . Doubtful. C . Disapproving. D . Sympathetic.
阅读理解

Eating different healthy foods gives you energy to do stuff, helps you grow the way you should, and can even keep you from getting sick. However, if you choose the wrong kind of food, you might run out of energy before the day is over.

Most kids have the choice of packing lunch or buying one at school. The good news is that a kid can get a healthy lunch by doing either one. But it's not guaranteed(保证). Chances are some meals and foods served in the school cafeteria(自助食堂) are healthier than others. When you buy your lunch, you'd better give the cafeteria menu a closer look. Read the cafeteria menu the night before. Knowing what's for lunch beforehand will let you know if you want to eat it!

A packed lunch isn't always healthier than one you buy at school. If you pack chocolate cake and potato chips, that's not a nutritious(有营养的) meal! But a packed lunch, if you do it right, does have a clear advantage. When you pack your lunch, you can be sure it includes your favourite healthy foods. It is not a one-size-fits-all lunch. It's a lunch just for you. If your favourite sandwich is peanut butter and banana, just make it and pack it—then you can eat it for lunch. Or maybe you love olives. Go ahead and pack them!

If you want to pack your lunch, you'll need some help from your parents. Talk to them about what you like to eat in your lunch so they can buy those foods. Parents might offer to pack your lunch for you. This is nice of them, but you may want to watch how they do it and ask if you can start making your lunches yourself. It's a way to show that you're growing up.

  1. (1) The first paragraph is mainly about          .
    A . how to avoid getting sick B . how to choose healthy foods C . the importance of healthy foods D . the nutritional value of healthy foods
  2. (2) According to the text, packed lunches           .
    A . are more popular with kids B . should be your favourite food C . should be made in the right way D . are certainly healthier than school lunches
  3. (3) In the last paragraph, the author advises readers to           .
    A . have lunch at home B . buy their favourite foods C . take their lunches to school D . pack their lunches by themselves
  4. (4) The text is written for             .
    A . teachers B . parents C . children D . cooks