阅读理解

Birmingham Writers Group welcomes members from all walks of life from the West Midlands- we're a the mixed group, and we always enjoy new views. We'll support each other's writing, and provide constructive and critical advice during our group meetings which take a variety of forms. All we require is that our members are regular writers and that they treat each other with respect.

What we write

Our current membership features many fiction writers with a little knowledge of poetry for good measure, but we're open to non-fiction writers too; fiction with a small length is the work of choice, but we also cover radio plays and screenplays. We do ask any material read out at our meetings should be suitable for diverse audiences. Furthermore, we welcome second language writing but we're not equipped to teach writing if you're only just starting out.

When we meet

We generally meet twice monthly. After the official meetings, some members might go to a nearby pub for a chat. We also arrange additional social evenings elsewhere. Because we're a private group with no external funding, we have to rely on some membership fees. However, you may attend two meetings at no charge to determine whether the group is suitable for you. A per-meeting attendance fee of & 5 is asked when you attend a third meeting.

So if you like what you've read here, please contact us and we'll let you know when the next meeting will be and how to join. We do not wish to miss potential members out; welcome to talk to us if you have difficulty participating.

1. （1） What kind of writing does Birmingham Writers Group prefer?

   A . Original plays. B . Works in foreign languages. C . Short stories. D . Poems for diverse audiences.
3. （2） What do we know about the meeting?

   A . It is held in pubs. B . It offers any material. C . It is a monthly event. D . It provides free trials.
5. （3） What is the purpose of the text?

   A . To introduce a group. B . To find new members for a group. C . To call for contributions to a group. D . To advertise a group meeting of writers.

阅读理解

Going green seems to be a fad(时尚) for a lot of people these days. Whether that is good or bad, we can't really say, but for the two of us, going green is not a fad but a lifestyle.

On April 22, 2011, we decided to go green every single day for an entire year. This meant doing 365 different green things, and it also meant challenging ourselves to go green beyond the easy things. Rather than recycle and reduce our energy, we had to think of 365 different green things to do and this was no easy task.

With the idea of going green every single day for a year, Our Green Year started. My wife and I decided to educate people about how they could go green in their lives and hoped we could show people all the green things that could be done to help the environment. We wanted to push the message that every little bit helps.

Over the course of Our Green Year, we completely changed our lifestyles. We now shop at organic(有机的) stores. We consume less meat, choosing green food. We have greatly reduced our buying we don't need. We have given away half of what we owned through websites. Our home is kept clean by vinegar and lemon juice, with no chemical cleaners. We make our own butter, enjoying the smell of home-made fresh bread. In our home office anyone caught doing something ungreen might be punished.

Our minds have been changed by Our Green Year. We are grateful for the chance to have been able to go green and educate others. We believe that we do have the power to change things and help our planet.

1. （1） What might be the best title for the passage?

   A . Going Green B . Protecting the Planet C . Keeping Open-Minded D . Celebrating Our Green Year
3. （2） It was difficult for the couple to live a green life for the whole year because

   A . they were expected to follow the green fad B . they didn't know how to educate other people C . they were unwilling to reduce their energy D . they needed to perform unusual green tasks
5. （3） What did the couple do over the course of Our Green Year?

   A . They tried to get out of their ungreen habits. B . They ignored others' ungreen behavior. C . They chose better chemical cleaners. D . They sold their home-made food.
7. （4） What can we infer from the last paragraph?

   A . The government will give support to the green project. B . The couple may continue their project in the future. C . Some people disagree with the couple's green ideas. D . Our Green Year is becoming a national campaign.

阅读理解

Finding a mask which offers you a high protection level is crucial to filtering(过滤) out any particles for a long time. However, after a few hours, the mask becomes contaminated(污染) by the particles and you need to replace it with a new one. See, you have to get a mask offering active protection in addition to passive filtration.

The first rule of a mask offering you any kind of protection is that it needs to fit well. The mask also needs to be comfortable and allow you to breathe easily for you to be able to keep it on for as many hours as you need.

During long hours of wear, food and dirt may remain on the inside of your mask. All the hours spent in a place with less-than-ideal conditions for human health are wonderful news for bacteria that thrive on food particles and muck left behind on the inside of your mask. This growth opportunity for bacteria could not just be dangerous but could also cause a bad smell. So you'd better have a kind that kills off the smell-causing bacteria, leaving your mask smelling fresh.

You should look for cloth masks that have multiple layers of breathable fabric that is tightly woven, include a robust(结实的) nose wire for you to adjust the mask to the shape of your face and prevent air escaping from around your nose, do not have gaps around the nose or sides of the face and that block out the light if you hold the mask up to a bright light source. It is good for the mask to come with your choice of either head straps or ear straps, both adjustable. It is also good if the mask has different sizes ranging from kids to adults to ensure everyone stays protected.

1. （1） What is most important about a mask according to the first paragraph?

   A . Offering passive filtration. B . Offering active protection. C . Working for long hours. D . Filtering out all particles.
3. （2） Why should a mask have a robust nose wire?

   A . To shape your face. B . To block out the light. C . To offer different sizes ranging from kids to adults. D . For you to adjust the shape and prevent air escaping.
5. （3） Which of the following can't be adjusted?

   A . The size. B . The ear strap. C . The nose wire. D . The head strap.
7. （4） Whom is the passage intended for?

   A . Kids. B . Doctors. C . Citizens. D . Mask makers.

阅读理解

Wherever we go, we are surrounded by history. Across the globe, cultural heritage is passed down through the generations. It is in the buildings and structures around us. It is in the arts and artifacts (手工艺品) we treasure. It lives in the languages we speak and the stories we tell. But today, it is under attack as never before. Not only is the damage of time threatening our cultural heritage, but conflicts, climate change, globalization and tourism are all exacting a heavy price.Technology is now the most essential weapon in the battle. Here's how technology is preserving our cultural heritage.

As you can imagine, creating the replicas (复制品) via crowdsourced 2D images is extremely time-consuming. Increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms (算法) are being used to do all the required crowdsourcing, allowing millions of images to be stored in a matter of hours. AI will also make restoration and preservation of existing cultural heritage far easier and vastly superior to previous methods.

Virtual reality (VR) technology will play a leading role in preserving our cultural heritage in the coming years. Many of the most important sites and architecture are extremely fragile. Human interaction with these locations is doing a great deal of harm. Waste accumulates everywhere, causing enormous problem As more cultural heritage sites and objects are digitally mapped and recorded, VR technology will increasingly become the way that people experience them. Well air eventually be able to walk through places, look at (and touch!) artifacts and works of art without ever seeing them with our own eyes.

Finally, our cultural heritage will be preserved via technology. Efforts in research, innovation, data sharing and project work will help promote and preserve the cultural heritage of countries all across the world.

1. （1） What does the underlined word " exacting "Paragraph 1 mean?

   A . Paying. B . Cutting. C . Receiving. D . Demanding.
3. （2） What is the advantage of Al in preserving cultural heritage?

   A . It generates 2D images. B . It makes restoration easier. C . It makes preservation safer. D . It creates replicas in seconds.
5. （3） How does VR help to preserve cultural heritage?

   A . By recycling huge amounts of waste. B . By reducing human impact on the site. C . By forbidding visitors from touching artifacts. D . By educating people about the sites' importance.
7. （4） Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

   A . How Technology Changes the Arts B . What Cultural Heritage Means to Us C . Preserve the Ancient with the Advanced D . Prepare for a Revolution in Technology

根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。

Ways to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

There's not a lot of room for adventure and excitement in your comfort zone. To add a little excitement to your life, it's important to try new and sometimes scary things., facing unfamiliar challenges can make you happier and more fulfilled in the long run.

●.

Think about a few things that scare you or make you nervous. Write them down in a list, and put a star next to the one you want to start with. You can handle the others later. Rather than just thinking about them, coming up with specific ideas forces you to put these plans in motion.

●Turn every day into a learning experience.

. Look at each day as a chance for you to learn something new. This can only happen if you're stepping outside your comfort zone. You can do this by always making an effort to find ways to grow. You never know what you'll learn about the world when you explore different sides of it!

●Think positively to overcome fear.

Regard challenges as chances to grow. The biggest barrier keeping you from stepping out of your comfort zone is fear, especially fear of failure. , just think of stepping outside your comfort zone as opportunities. You may be right around the corner from changing your life for the better.

●Turn to your friends for some added support.

Doing something new alone can be even more challenging. There's no reason you can't rely on friends of family to help you get out of your comfort zone! Pick someone who's naturally adventurous to be your partner in trying new experiences. .

A. Pick challenging activities

B. Do some research to get more information

C. Change the way you view your day-to-day life

D. Instead of focusing on the possibility of failure

E. Unless you've stepped out of your comfort zone

F. Though getting outside of your comfort zone may be tough at first

G. They can make you feel more comfortable in exploring the unfamiliar field

完形填空

A couple of years ago, I stepped off the subway in Upper Manhattan, worn out after a long and stressful day at work,  1about the warmth of my bed. I stopped in a grocery store on the way to my apartment to buy a bag of popcorn.

A man about three times my size2in front of me at the cash register and turned toward me, telling me I looked3. I smiled uncomfortably and became noticeably more 4, as a young woman does when a5man starts talking to her at night. He turned toward the cashier and said that he was going to get my snack too. I politely declined his6and was already pulling out my wallet, but this man wouldn't7me to say no. He8 the cashier a couple of extra dollars to cover my popcorn and told me that he hoped my9got better. He walked out of the10and I never saw him again.

The world could use a little more11Most of the time, it's so12to get caught up in your own routine and everyday personal worries that we just don't remember to13those around us. The man who14for my popcorn has15 with me and inspired me to pay it forward to others who look like they could use a hand.

阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

In ancient times, builders and(architect) in Beijing relied on five colors to add life to their creations: red, yellow, blue, white, and gray. These colors were connectedfive different elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The Chinese sage (智者) Laozi said that five colors make people blind, so in architectural art, it's suggested that no more than three main colors should (use) for a design; otherwise, it would look too busy. Then red, yellow and blue gradually(become) the main colors in the Forbidden City. Red, the color of fire and blood, has long been important in Chinese symbolism. Traditionally, red represents(warm) and the highest amount of energy. The association of red with good fortune is the reasonthe color red is important in weddings, New Years, and other important celebrations. Yellow is another obvious color in old Beijing,(stand) for the power of the emperor. The Yellow Emperor is the mythological (神话的) forefather of the Chinese nation while archeologists find the(early) examples of Chinese civilization in the Yellow River basin. The color blue symbolized heaven.was discovered that blue had a unique sensitivity to light, and was the perfect color used  (create) copies of drawings.

为了培养学生学习英语的兴趣，你校将组织一次英语之夜 (English Evening）活动。假设你是英语俱乐部负责人李华，请你以俱乐部的名义，用英语写一则书面通知，内容包括：

1）时间与地点；2）活动安排；3）注意事项。

注意：1）词数 80左右；

2）可适当增加细节，以使行文连贯

阅读下面短文，根据所给情节进行续写，使之构成一个完整的故事。

Billy was 15 years old then. He grew up in a very poor neighborhood. No one in his family had gone to college before. Actually, few people around him had received higher education. They all struggled to live a good life. Therefore, Billy knew nothing about colleges or scholarships and he never thought he would go to college one day. Although he was a smart boy, he didn't study hard at school and often got into trouble with other teenagers in his neighborhood.

One day, while Billy was walking on the playground, a boy of his age started making fun of him. Then that boy pushed him hard and Billy fell onto the ground. Billy became so angry that he stood up and beat that boy. So a fight began.

It happened that Billy's English teacher Mr. Smith was walking nearby. He immediately ran to the boys to stop the fight. Billy was a bit worried because he knew his teacher was very strict with students. He was afraid his teacher would punish him. However, to his astonishment, his teacher didn't do that.

"Billy, let's have a talk," said his teacher.

Billy, not knowing what his teacher wanted to do, was very worried. But he nodded. So they went to a bench nearby and sat down. After they sat down, Mr. Smith began, "Billy, I know you're a smart boy, but you're wasting your life now. Why don't you study hard to go to college so that you can change your life and have a bright future?"

Hearing that, Billy didn't know what to say. He had never thought about it. Billy was in silence. Mr. Smith continued, "I know you may have never thought about going to college. But everything is possible. When I was at your age, I was a troublemaker just like you and never thought I'd be able to go to college, either. It was all because of the support and encouragement of Mr. Howard, my math teacher in high school."

注意：

1）所续写短文的词数应为 150左右；

2）续写部分分为两段，每段的开头语已为你写好；

Paragraph 1

Then, Mr. Smith began to tell Billy his story.

Paragraph 2

Billy was greatly touched by Mr. Smith's story.