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    Do you find yourself reaching for just one more cup of coffee to get through the day?Are you tired of being tired?Instead of relying on things like coffee or sugar for energy,get happy by eating more foods that give you energy through nourishment.Here are four foods that can help improve your energy levels.

    Hemp Seed

    A complete protein,rich in fiber and omega-3s,hemp is a great low-glycemic(低胰岛素)addition to any diet.The glycemic index (GI) is a measurement of how fast the carbohydrates in food are broken down into glucose(葡萄糖)and how much it will affect your blood sugar.Fiber,fat and protein all lower the GI of a food,which is why hemp seeds (along with nuts,seeds,whole grains and legumes) are low-glycemic.Look for hemp seed oil for salad dressing,and hemp seeds to be added into salads.

    Soaked Almonds

    Raw almonds are nutrient dense,and soaking them releases(释放)higher nutrition potential.Soaking increases vitamin levels and removes the enzyme(酶)inhibitors that slow down digestion.I soak my almonds in water overnight (at least eight hours) and then dry them.

    Quinoa

    It is 20-percent protein,making it a balanced source of carbohydrates.Even though you feel like you're too busy to make home-made meals,quinoa is a fast food that cooks in less than 15 minutes.

    Green Tea

    Caffeine from green tea feels steadier and less sharp than the spike and crash with caffeine from coffee.This is likely because green tea contains L-theanine,a kind of acid found in tea that helps promote relaxation.      .

  1. (1) The writer wrote the passage in order to       .
    A . find reasons why people need some coffee B . introduce four foods making people energetic C . reach for something to get through the day D . tell people way of keeping fit
  2. (2) Why did the almonds get soaked?
    A . It helped increase the enzyme. B . It helped unlock the nutrition. C . It helped make digestion slow. D . It helped lock nutrient dense.
  3. (3) From the fourth paragraph we can know quinoa      .
    A . is rich in protein B . includes much fiber C . has less sharp flavor D . can be served quickly
阅读理解

    We all need to eat. So, meals could be a chance to stop what we're doing and spend time with the people in our lives. A recent study from a team of South Korea suggests that eating together has many good effects on children and teenagers while frequently eating alone may lead to poor eating habits and poor food choices. People who eat alone more than twice a week have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure.

    There are benefits of family dinners on children and teenagers.

    In 2014, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) looked at data from nearly three-quarters of the world's countries. Among its findings is the fact that students who share a main meal with their families are less likely to hate school. Children who eat a main meal with their families are also less likely to take drugs (毒品).

    In the report, titled “The Importance of Family Dinners (VIII),'' researchers say that teens who have frequent family dinners are more likely to say their parents know a lot about what's going on in their lives.

    Another study from the University of Montreal finds that children who eat with their families experience long-term physical and mental health benefits. These children are physically in better shape and drink fewer sugary soft drinks. These children also seem to have better social skills and are less violent.

    One of the researchers, Pagani, involved in this study is a professor at the university. She says that mealtimes with parents possibly provide young children with firsthand social events, which helps them have better communication skills.

  1. (1) Why is eating meals alone frequently bad for people's health?
    A . Because people will get a chance to make friends. B . Because people will have a risk of heart attack. C . Because people will show no interest in food. D . Because people will develop poor eating habits.
  2. (2) What's the topic of the passage?
    A . Ways to eat together more. B . Benefits of eating together. C . Chances to spend time with people. D . Risks of developing high blood pressure.
  3. (3) What's the advantage of family dinners for children?
    A . They could enjoy sweet, and hard drinks. B . They perform better in social activities. C . They feel their parents know more about their studies. D . They experience long-term physical and mental illness.
  4. (4) What's Pagani's attitude to eating family meals together?
    A . Supportive. B . Uninterested. C . Worried. D . Doubtful.
阅读理解

    As businesses and governments have struggled to understand the so-called millennials—born between roughly 1980 and 2000—one frequent conclusion has been that they have a unique love of cities. A deep-seated preference for night life and subways, the thinking goes, has driven the revitalization of urban cores across the U.S. over the last decade-plus.

    But there's mounting evidence that millennials' love of cities was a passing fling(放纵). Millennials don't love cities any more than previous generations.

    The latest argument comes from Dowell Myers, an urban planning professor at USC. As they age, says Myers, millennials' presence in cities, will "be evaporating(蒸发) through our fingers, if we don't make some plans now." That's because millennials' preference for cities will fade as they start families and become more established in their careers.

    It's about more than aging, though. Demographer William Frey has been arguing for years that millennials have become stuck in cities by the 2008 downturn and the following slow recovery, with poor job prospects and declining wages making it harder for them to afford to buy homes in suburbia.

    Myers, too, says observers have confused young people's presence in cities with a preference for cities. Survey data shows that more millennials would like to be living in the suburbs than actually are. But the normal career and family cycles moving young people from cities into suburban houses have become, in Myers' words, "a plugged up drain."

    But unemployment has finally returned to healthy lows (though participation rates and wages are still largely stagnant), which Myers says should finally increase mobility for millennials.

    Other trends among millennials, supposedly matters of lifestyle preference, have already turned out to have been driven mostly by economics. What was once deemed their broad preference for public transit may have always been a now-reversing inability to afford cars. Even decades-long trends towards marrying later have been accentuated as today's young people struggle for financial stability.

    Investors are already taking the idea that millennials will return to old behavior patterns seriously, putting more money into auto manufacturers and developers. But urban lifestyles, up to and including trendy bars, aren't just hip—they're a part of what powers a city's economic engines, bringing people together to explore new ideas, create companies, and build careers.

    From the 1960s to the 1990s, we saw that suburbanization(城市郊区化)also means an economic and social hollowing out for cities. Now that the economic shackles are coming off today's young city residents, cities that want to stay vibrant(充满生机的) have to figure out how to convince them—and their growing families—to stick around.

  1. (1) Over the last decade, what is thought to have ensured the prosperity of the city?
    A . Fast economic development. B . Around-the-clock club services. C . Convenient public transport. D . Well-established careers.
  2. (2) Why are Millennials about to leave city?
    A . It is too expensive for them to buy apartment in cities. B . They find it difficult for to seek a god job in cities. C . It is easier to get married moving to the suburban. D . They are more confident with their economic situation.
  3. (3) What does the author mean quoting Myer's "a plugged up drain"(para 5)?
    A . Millennials are reluctant to leave attractive cities. B . Millennals are stopped from moving to the suburbs. C . Milennials are unwilling to be cut off from the suburban. D . Millennials are afraid of another economic decline.
  4. (4) How does the author feel about the suburbanization?
    A . sign of stable finance. B . A growth of health issues C . A conflict of new ideas. D . A loss of modem life
阅读理解

    Have you ever received a gift that was so clearly not your taste that you wondered if perhaps it had been handed to you by mistake? Worse, have you ever given a present and watched your friend look as though she had opened the wrong box? Maybe she responded with a polite "Why, thank you," but you knew you had missed the mark. Why do presents sometimes go wrong? And what do your choices (good and bad) reflect about your personal qualities?

    Choosing the right gift is an art, I believe. It calls for empathy — the ability to put yourself into someone else's head and heart .We're all able to do this; in fact, we're born with a kind of natural empathy. After the earliest period of childhood, however, it needs to be reinforced (加强)—by our parents, teachers, friends. When it isn't, we're not able to understand other people's feelings as sharply. This can show in the gifts we select, and so can many other emotional (情感的) qualities.

Think back to the presents you've given over the past year, the time and effort you put into your selection, how much you spent, your thoughts while you were shopping, and your feelings when the receiver opened the package. Keep in mind that what you choose displays your inner world. Of course, you may express yourself differently with different friends, relatives, and other people you know.

    We live in a society where exchanging presents is an important part of communication. Ignoring the tradition won't make it go away. If you really dislike such a tradition, tell your friends ahead of time.

  1. (1) The underlined expression "you had missed the mark" means "you had failed to _____'.
    A . get the expected effect B . keep your friendship C . receive a present in return D . make her feel better
  2. (2) Which of the following is the main idea of the second paragraph?
    A . Natural empathy needs to be reinforced. B . Choosing gifts requires one to understand the receivers. C . Selecting the right gift is an ability people are born with. D . Emotional changes influence one's choice of gifts.
  3. (3) In the third paragraph, the author tells us that________.
    A . attention should be paid to the receivers' responses B . one learns from what he did in the past C . the choice of gifts reflects one's emotional qualities D . one should spend more time choosing gifts
  4. (4) The best possible title for this passage is “_______”.
    A . Ways of Choosing Gifts B . An Important Tradition C . Exchanging Presents D . Message in a Gift
阅读理解

    As anyone who freelances(做自由职业) knows, there are lots of advantages of working at home alone. But there are drawbacks too, like the potential loneliness. No wonder co-working spaces are becoming so popular: they permit self-employed individuals to feel like they are part of all office environment, while making them get some work done too. But renting a co-working space does cost money.

    Now a Swedish project is aiming to change that by turning people's under-used homes into temporary co-working spaces, available to freelancers for free. Hoffice was started by freelancers Christofer Gradin Franzen and Johline Zandra about a year ago in Stockholm when they invited a few people into their home office to work together. It was a great success, and the project has since spread to a number of cities in Europe, North and South America, Australia, India and Japan. Anyone can sign up and offer their home space as a free co-working space, or go to find a Hoffice near them.

    On a Hoffice day, everyone arrives and starts work at a certain hour. After 45 minutes, everyone gets up to take a break, stretch, do qigong or yoga for 10 to 15 minutes. Afterwards, people can gather around again, and restate their intentions and goals for the rest of the workday, as a way to motivate each other. Meals can be eaten together at a certain hour, potluck-style(家常饭) or by bringing your own lunch.

    This process creates an encouraging and supportive work environment. As some freelancers describe,“By working at Hoffice, we give ourselves and each other the gift to spend our days in a social working environment, where we are extremely productive without ignoring our other human needs. We also make sure to give us and each other what we need to feel calm, happy, inspired and creative during the working day.”

    So Hoffice is not just about sharing space; it's also about a free exchange of ideas. And perhaps the best thing is that Hoffices are free to use.

  1. (1) Hoffice was started to       .
    A . change people's attitude to work B . encourage people to be more social C . improve people's working conditions D . provide a co-working space for free
  2. (2) What's the main idea of Paragraph 3?
    A . How people respond to Hoffice. B . How a Hoffice day works. C . What people share at Hoffice. D . What Hoffice means to people.
  3. (3) Some freelancers' descriptions of Hoffice suggest that they       .
    A . benefit a lot from the working style B . work longer than before C . expect more people to join them D . can't be separated from each other
  4. (4) What do we know about Hoffice according to the text?
    A . It is becoming increasingly popular. B . It has been around for quite a few years. C . It has created many new job opportunities. D . It is suitable for people from all walks of life.
阅读理解

    What's it like to become a music star with millions of fans? These young artists know the feeling. Over the course of their short careers, they have attracted the attention of the biggest stars in the world and taken home prizes from major shows. For now they're just kids that everyone in music is watching. Check out the next generation of stars below.

    FIFTH HARMONY

    The 1990s was a brilliant period for girl groups. But after that few groups have been able to make much of an influence. This doesn't seem to bother Fifth Harmony, who landed the biggest hit of their career in 2016 with "Work from Home", a pop song that encourages everyone to ask for leave more often. When it climbed to No.4 on the Billboard Hot100, it was the first time that a girl group had entered the top 5 in the past ten years.

    LORDE

    It's been four years since the release of Born Heroine —- the hot selling CD that made her a 16-year-old global sensation and the spokeswoman for a new generation of smart, strong-minded, creative female pop artists. She contributed to The Hunger Games soundtrack (插曲) in 2014, and for this time setting foot in Hollywood production also brought her more opportunities in her following career.

    TROYE SIVAN

    You might recognize the rising star Troye Sivan from YouTube, where he's been uploading videos since he was 12 and his channel already has millions of fans, or from the movies, where he played the role of young Wolverine in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

  1. (1) What does the underlined "it" mean in the second paragraph?
    A . The girl group. B . The pop song "Work from Home". C . The girl group's career. D . Fifth Harmony.
  2. (2) Who isn't mentioned any cooperative experience with a film?
    A . Fifth Harmony. B . Lorde. C . Troye Sivan. D . None.
  3. (3) What do you know about Billboard and YouTube from the passage?
    A . Billboard is a price list of singers' albums and YouTube is a TV station. B . Billboard is a price list of singers' albums and YouTube is a video website. C . Billboard is a ranking(分等) list of pop songs and YouTube is a video website. D . Billboard is a ranking list of pop songs and YouTube is a TV station.
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。

    Through your childhood and, let's be honest, most of your adult life, you may have wondered—how do you get to Sesame Street? After 50 years, the answer has finally been revealed.

    New York City's Official Sesame Street

    In the past, there was guessing about the true location of the street, like Harlem or Alphabet City since both neighborhoods resembled Sesame Street in appearance and population makeup. Recently, in honor of the children's television show's 50th anniversary, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio declared that West 63rd Street between Central Park West and Broadway will now officially be known as Sesame Street, close to the Sesame Workshop office.

    A Year-long Celebration for the 50th Anniversary

    Since 1969, the children's television show Sesame Street has been a pioneering force in media and education, dealing with issues like racism, loss, poverty and living with a disability. With a mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder, Sesame Street has brought the life-changing benefits of early learning to children across the globe for 50 years. Today, we reach kids in 150 countries and 70 languages and we're celebrating our landmark anniversary with fans and families all year long!

    Events and Activities Throughout 2019

    Fans and families around the world can join their favorite furry friends in celebrating Sesame Street's past, present, and future, with:

    A 50th television season which focuses on the power of possibilities, empowering kids to take safe risks and learn from their mistakes.

    A nationwide road trip where Sesame Street characters and friends host community events in ten cities around the country.

    A research report that will explore an important issue facing kids and families today.

    Celebrity and fan-fueled social media campaigns showcasing favorite Sesame Street memories.

    New corporations across fashion, lifestyle, and themed entertainment for fans of all ages.

    A November star-studded prime-time special, whose contents include new takes on classic scenes and visits from Sesame Street icons.

  1. (1) Where is the official Sesame Street?
    A . In Harlem or Alphabet City. B . Around the corner of the West 63rd Street. C . At the Sesame Workshop office. D . Between Central Park West and Broadway.
  2. (2) What benefits are children able to get from the television show?
    A . They can learn to solve all life problems in the childhood. B . They will definitely become smarter, stronger and kinder. C . They may get positive help meaning much to their later life. D . They are likely to make friends with kids from 150 countries.
  3. (3) Which of the following is not an event or activity to celebrate the 50th anniversary?
    A . A new season of the television show. B . A 10-city journey for lucky fans. C . A special TV program in November. D . A report good for kids and families.
阅读理解

    The hemlock(铁杉) trees along the Wappinger Creek, New York, look healthy. However, scientist Gary Lovett says the white balls which provide protection for the bugs are created by a tiny insect. It's hard to believe the tiny bug could kill a tree. However, trees can end up with millions and millions of the pests. When there are that many, it ends up killing the tree.

    The bug from East Asia is slowly killing trees across the USA. The trouble-making bug is just one of many invasive(入侵的) pests that have slipped into the United States. They can hurt other living things in their new home.

    Many invasive pests arrive on wooden pallets(运货板) piled inside shipping containers. They support and separate goods, and keep them from sliding around. Invasive pests often tunnel into the pallets. How can we stop pests from riding on pallets? Lovett says new rules are needed. The companies that make pallets don't want more rules. Congress has added an amendment(修正案) in the 2018 Farm Bill to try and prevent this problem. However, Lovett is not hopeful it will make much of a difference. Pallets are checked by inspectors. Many are sprayed with bug-killing pesticide. "I believe in the system," said Brent McClendon, president of The National Wooden Pallet and Container Association. He also said shipping containers are checked very carefully.

    Still, each year 13 million containers are shipped to the U. S. Each is full of wooden pallets. Lovett says: "Inspectors can't possibly check everything. All it takes are a few bad pallets; we should get rid of wooden pallets." He believes pallets should be made of plastic or eco-composite wood. Eco-composite wood is a mix of wood fiber and plastic. Insects cannot hide into it. One problem is that these choices cost more. They may be worth the extra money, though. Invasive pests cost the U.S. $5 billion a year. Trees don't just die in forests. They also die in cities and our yards. Then, they need to be replaced. That costs money, too.

  1. (1) All the statements are TRUE except that ________.
    A . pesticide has been applied to bug-killing B . invasive pests are native to Wappinger Creek C . invasive pests hide in pallets used in shipping D . the companies making pallets don't want more rules
  2. (2) What can we infer from the passage?
    A . Bugs can be easily spotted by eyes. B . Bugs ruin the shipping goods slowly. C . Even tiny bugs could be a threat to a tree. D . Bugs cover trees with white soft balls to protect tress.
  3. (3) Why does Gary Lovett want to get rid of wooden pallets?
    A . Because insects mostly die in them. B . Because plastic pallets are eco-friendly. C . Because they are not worth extra money. D . Because they are the major pest carriers.
  4. (4) What does the passage mainly talk about?
    A . Invasive pests are harming plants in the USA. B . Effective measures have stopped the pest invasion. C . Congress contributes a lot to dealing with invasive pests. D . Ecosystem in the USA is poorly damaged by invasive woods.
阅读理解

    "I feel unlikable, lonely and hopeless," said Lisa, a bright teenager from a loving home. "It seems that nobody wants to become my friend. What's wrong with me?"

    Like Lisa, many of us experience loneliness. The truth is that all people, no matter what their age or character — even the most outgoing, wealthy and popular — experience loneliness at least sometimes. It's healthy and natural to want to be around people who care. After all, we've all heard "No man is an island." That's true. We all need others in our lives.

    Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, explains that if we want friends, we must be friendly and reach out to others. But it has risk. Because we are often afraid of rejection (拒绝), many of us are unwilling to reach out to others. We take a safer way and wait for others to make friends with us. But if we want friends, we've got to get beyond this.

If making friends is your goal as well, you need to consider taking some measures (措施).

    Be willing to take the initiative (主动权). If you see someone whom you would like to know, don't wait for her to make the first move. Get close to her and begin a conversation. Let her know in a non­aggressive (无攻击性的) way that you are interested in being friends with her.

    Reach out to those who are lonely. When you see someone at school sitting alone, go over and talk to her. And don't let popularity decide whom you reach out to. You'll often be surprised at the beautiful qualities behind a shy appearance.

    Ask questions. Start your first conversation by asking this possible friend what she likes to do or asking about her family. Be sure to ask questions that cannot be replied with "yes" or "no". For example, don't ask "Do you have a dog?" Instead, say "So, tell me about your pets." Avoiding asking "yes" or "no" questions makes your possible friend not end your communication with a one­word answer.

  1. (1) Why does the author begin the text with Lisa's worry?
    A . To set a sad tone. B . To share Lisa's pain. C . To introduce the topic. D . To teach readers a lesson.
  2. (2) What can be a risk caused by reaching out to others according to the passage?
    A . Being refused by others. B . Putting ourselves in danger. C . Being treated in a rude way. D . Losing interest in communicating.
  3. (3) What can we know from Paragraph 5?
    A . Shy people are hard to talk to. B . Popular people are often easy­going. C . Just waiting for chances will waste our time. D . A proper manner is important in making friends.
  4. (4) Why does the author suggest not asking "yes" or "no" questions?
    A . It is considered unfriendly. B . It will leave a bad first impression. C . It shows the poor quality of the speaker. D . It isn't good for keeping a conversation going.
阅读理解

    After disappearing for over 19 years, measles (麻疹) is making a comeback in America. Since January 2019, the disease has infected more than 700 people, mostly small children, and the number seems to be increasing daily.

    Measles is an infectious disease that typically begins with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Many people also lose their appetites and feel sleepy. About three to four days after the symptoms start, the person breaks out into a rash (皮疹) that begins on the face at the hairline and then spreads to the neck and the rest of the body.

    In healthy people, the recovery, which takes between two to three weeks, starts soon after the rash begins. However, for about 40 percent of patients ­ mainly kids under the age of five or older adults ­ the disease often leads to pneumonia (肺炎), which, if left untreated, could result in death.

    The recent outbreak is thought to have been caused by travelers picking up the virus in a country where the disease is still existing and exposing it to an unvaccinated (未接种的) community in the US. In New York, it was carried back by someone who had recently visited Israel, which is currently undergoing a significant measles, while in Washington, "patient zero" was infected by a type that is currently circulating in Europe.

    To limit the spread of the disease before it gets out of hand, US health officials are attempting to educate communities with high rates of unvaccinated children. They are also urging adults to consult with their physicians and get injected if considered necessary by the doctor.

    Hopefully, health officials worldwide will be able to convince parents that vaccinating their children will protect, not harm, them.

  1. (1) What is the third paragraph mainly about?
    A . The symptoms of measles. B . The possible results of measles. C . The causes of measles. D . The cures for measles.
  2. (2) Why did some people develop measles in America?
    A . Because it is too hot this year. B . Because people are too stressed. C . Because pollution is too serious. D . Because the virus was taken to America.
  3. (3) What do we know about measles?
    A . It never disappeared in America. B . It starts with a rash. C . It is mild to everyone. D . It is possible to limit its spread.
  4. (4) In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?
    A . Health. B . Education. C . Science. D . Entertainment.
阅读理解

    It happens all the time: during an airport delay, a Korean perhaps starts talking to a man who might be Colombian, and soon they are chatting away in what seems to be English. But the native English speaker sitting beside them cannot understand a word.

    They don't know they are speaking Globish, the latest addition to the 6,800 languages that are said to be spoken across the world. Not that its inventor, Jean-Paul Nerriere, considers it a proper language. "It is not a language, but it is a tool," he says. "A language is the vehicle of a culture. Globish doesn't want to be that at all. It is a means of communication."

    The seeds for Globish came about in the 1980's when Nerriere was working for IBM in Paris with colleagues of about 40 nationalities. At a meeting where they were to be addressed by two Americans whose flight had been delayed, they started chatting. Then the Americans arrived and beyond their opening phrases, "Call me Jim, ""Call me Bill, "no one understood a word. And Jim and Bill, needless to say, did not understand the strange English spoken by others. They all spoke low-quality English. Except Jim and Bill, everyone was speaking Globish though they didn't know it.

    The main principles of Globish are a vocabulary of only 1,500 words in English, gestures and repetition. One of the interesting things in Globish is that with 1,500 words you can express everything. The target is to reach the point where you will be understood everywhere. The list goes from "able" to "zero". "Niece and nephew, for example, are not included, but you can replace them with the children of my brother," Nerriere says.

    But a small problem is still waiting for him. The fluent Globish speakers will not be understood by native English speakers. To this question, Nerriere responded confidently, "This is the way to get Americans to learn another language."

  1. (1) From the first two paragraphs, we can know that ________.
    A . the Korean realizes he is speaking Globish B . Globish is the working language at airports C . Nerriere thinks Globish is a communication tool D . the native English speaker is interested in Globish
  2. (2) Which of the following can explain the reason for inventing Globish?
    A . The IBM workers in Paris couldn't speak English at all. B . Nerriere needed to keep in touch with the IBM corporation in America. C . Two Americans Jim and Bill wanted to make themselves understood. D . The IBM staff in Paris were from many different countries.
  3. (3) How can Globish speakers communicate beyond the Globish vocabulary?
    A . They might use French words instead. B . They might use body language. C . They might create new words. D . They might consult a dictionary from "able" to "zero".
  4. (4) What is Nerriere's attitude towards the future of Globish?
    A . Optimistic. B . Cautious. C . Worried. D . Doubtful.
阅读理解

    Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the French explorer, once pointed out, "Population growth is the primary source of environmental damage." Many experts are calling the growing problem of global waste a worldwide health crisis in that pollution from trash is not only harming the world's oceans, air and soil but also endangering people's health as well as the livelihood of all living creatures.

    Reduce, reuse, recycle

    Such a dilemma raises the question, is there a more responsible way of dealing with trash? Fortunately, there is. Living a zero-waste lifestyle is the way to go. One example of this is what's often called the three R's: reduce, reuse, recycle. Reducing the use of plastic containers as well as reusing and recycling bottles and cans decreases the amount of garbage being sent to landfills. As a result, less money is spent on waste management, and countries' financial burdens are significantly relieved. Such positive effects on an economy is known as a circular economy.

    Circular economy

    Traditionally, manufacturers would make a product to be used and disposed of by consumers. This linear model of production offered no help in the fight against global waste. Alternatively, a circular economy was introduced. Once a product's value is exhausted, the materials are recycled and returned to manufacturers. The outcome is less waste. One large-scale example of this is happening on the island of Taiwan.

    4-in-1 Recycling Program

    In 1997, Taiwan established its signature 4-in-1 Recycling Program, consisting of communities, recycling companies, government cleaning teams and the Recycling Fund. Residents separate their recyclable waste. The local government collection teams collect it. Recycling companies buy waste materials from them to make profits. Importers and manufacturers who are responsible for the recyclable products pay a fee into the Recycling Fund. The Recycling Fund is an essential aspect of the program used to subsidize(补贴) the recycling disposal system, support education and research and development as well as finance recycling efforts in the future.

    Turning garbage into gold

    By following a circular system, more products than ever are being manufactured using recycled materials. Environmentally-friendly decisions like these help to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, save landfill space and even create new job opportunities. Recycling can truly turn garbage into gold.

  1. (1) According to the passage, the biggest challenge facing the world today is __________.
    A . the rapid growth of population B . the overdeveloped manufacture C . the world's large amount of trash D . inappropriate use of plastic products
  2. (2) What is the aim of bringing in circular economy?
    A . To save land and create wealth. B . To minimize waste and restore used materials. C . To support research and speed development. D . To rid poor habits and encourage a new lifestyle.
  3. (3) Which of the following might be the best title for the text?
    A . Zero-Waste, Full Recycle B . Circular Economy In Action C . The World's Recycling Companies D . A Worldsize Environmental Crisis
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    You have probably read about robots replacing human labor as a new era of automation takes root in one industry after another. But a new report suggests humans are not the only ones who might lose their jobs.

    In New Zealand, farmers are using drones (无人机) to herd and monitor cows and sheep, taking up a position that highly intelligent dogs have held for more than a century. The robots have not replaced the dogs entirely, Radio New Zealand reports, but they have appropriated (盗用) one of the animal's most powerful tools: barking. The DJI Mavic Enterprise, a ﹩3,500 drone favored by farmers, has a feature that lets the machine record sounds and play them over a loudspeaker, giving the machine the ability to act as the dogs.

    Corey Lambeth, a shepherd on a farm, told RNZ the machines are surprisingly effective. "That's the one thing I've noticed when you're moving cows that the old cows stand up to the dogs, but with the drones, they've never done that," he said, noting the drones move cows faster, with less stress, than the dogs do.

    The drones come in handy for more than just herding (放牧) cows and sheep. The robots allow farmers to monitor their land from afar, monitoring water and feed levels and checking on the animals' health without disturbing them. Jason Rentoul told RNZ that a two-hour herding job that used to require two people and two teams of dogs could be accomplished in 45 minutes using a single drone. "Being a hilly farm where a lot of stuff is done on foot, the drones really saved a lot of man hours," he said.

    For now, farmers say, there is still a need for herding dogs, primarily because they have a longer life span than drones, can work in bad weather and do not require an electrical socket every few hours to recharge.

  1. (1) What is the main advantage of the drones over herding dogs?
    A . The drones can take up a job that the dogs hardly do well any longer. B . The drones can frighten the old cows which are not afraid of the dogs. C . The drones can finish a herding job more efficiently than the dogs. D . The drones can work on a hilly farm and extreme weather while the dogs can't.
  2. (2) Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
    A . Herding dogs will gradually lose their position on the farmland. B . The drones can only copy the dogs' barking with the current technology. C . The drones are multi-functional and leave the animals undisturbed. D . The market for the DJI Mavic Enterprise is pretty small because of its high price.
  3. (3) According to the passage, why can't the drones replace the dogs entirely?
    A . Because the drones can't bark as loudly as the dogs do. B . Because cows are not used to seeing the drones. C . Because the drones are much more expensive than the animal. D . Because the drones' power is limited and they need charging from time to time.
  4. (4) What is the author's attitude towards the drones in the passage?
    A . supportive B . objective C . critical D . doubtful
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    About 97% of the world's water is salty and is found in our oceans and seas. But, as we can't drink sea water, how can it be important?

    Every part of our seas and oceans contains an amazing number of animals and fish that live at different ocean depths. Most of the different species of animals and fish depend on simple plants for their food. These simple plants called algae (海藻) drift near the surface of the ocean and use sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into food and oxygen. In fact, algae produce over half of the oxygen people breathe. How important sea water is!

    Each plant or animal in our seas and oceans is an important link in a food chain. The algae are eaten in large amounts by microscopic animals, which are in tur consumed by larger animals. These food chains are delicately (微妙地) balanced.

    The bad news about the food chains in the oceans is that they are under threat because of man. People once thought that the oceans were so big that it didn't matter if we dumped rubbish into them or caught huge quantities of fish and whales for food. But we now know this is not true and fish stocks in the oceans have started to drop.

    Thankfully, the world is taking steps to protect the future of our oceans by introducing international agreements to protect marine habitats. Most counties have introduced fishing restrictions (限制) to protect fish stocks in the oceans and new techniques are being pioneered to cope with pollution. Finally, the importance of protecting oceans is being made known to more people. This is just the beginning of a long process to protect the oceans for our future. We depend on the oceans for fish which are an important part of the human diet. How important sea water is!

  1. (1) From the passage, we learn that _________.
    A . most fish and sea animals live at the surface of the seas B . it is very difficult to break the balance of a food chain C . over-fishing has caused the decrease in fish stock D . it won't be long before the problems concerning oceans will be solved
  2. (2) What does the underlined phrase “cope with” mean in Chinse?
    A . 处理 B . 保护 C . 增加 D . 检验
  3. (3) Which of the following is NOT a way being used to protect oceans?
    A . The use of international agreements. B . Forbidding fishing to protect fish socks. C . The use of new techniques. D . Raising people's awareness of the need to protect oceans.
  4. (4) What would be the best title of the passage?
    A . The Importance of Sea Water B . Life in the Oceans C . How to Protect Food Chains D . How to Deal with Seawater Pollution
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With a continuous 1,300 kilometer-long coastline and beautiful beaches, Wales is a popular holiday destination in the United Kingdom. Most Welsh people live in south Wales in the capital city, Cardiff, and two other big cities: Swansea and Newport.

Language

The official languages of Wales are English and Welsh, and "Wenglish" is a Welsh-English dialect. Everyone speaks English, but if you go to school in Wales you have to learn Welsh until you are 16. Street signs are written in Welsh and English, and villages, towns and cities have an English name and a Welsh name. The Welsh language is one of the oldest languages in Europe and around 20 percent of people in Wales speak Welsh.

Sports

The Welsh enjoy watching and playing sports, especially rugby and football. The modern Millennium Stadium in Cardiff can hold 74,500 people and is where you go if you want to watch a football or rugby match or a concert.

Water sports are popular in Wales. You can go surfing or wakeboarding. If you like unusual sports, visit the small town of Llanwrtyd Wells. Every year in this town there is a man versus horse marathon and a bog snorkeling competition.

Food

There are lots of sheep in Wales, so people eat a lot of lamb. Typical Welsh dishes include "cawl", which is lamb stew, sausages and "rarebit", which is a type of cheese on toast. There are also Welsh cakes, which are small, sweet, round cakes with dried raisins inside.

Symbols

If you ever go to Wales, you will see dragons everywhere; red dragons are a symbol of Wales. Other symbols include the leek (a long, green vegetable) and the daffodil.

  1. (1) What are the official languages of Wales?
    A . English. B . English and Wenglish. C . English and Welsh. D . Welsh.
  2. (2) Where can you go if you want to watch a rugby or football match?
    A . Swansea. B . Millennium Stadium. C . Newport. D . Llanwrtyd Wells.
  3. (3) The following statements are true EXCEPT _________.
    A . The Welsh language is one of the oldest languages in the world. B . Red dragons are a symbol of Wales. C . A man versus horse marathon and a bog snorkeling competition are held annually in Llan-wrtyd Wells. D . People eat a lot of lamb because people raise lots of sheep in Wales.
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Could looking through trees be the view to a greener future? Trees replacing the clear glass in your windows is not a work of science fiction. It's happening now.

Forest Products Laboratory researcher Junyong Zhu together with colleagues from the University of Maryland and University of Colorado has developed a transparent wood material that may be the window of tomorrow. Researchers found that transparent wood has the potential to outperform glass currently used in construction in nearly every way.

While glass is the most common material used in window construction, it comes with quite a few bad consequences. Heat easily transfers through glass and amounts to higher energy bills when it escapes during cold weather and pours in when it's warm. Glass production used for construction also comes with a heavy carbon footprint. Manufacturing emissions alone are approximately 25,000 metric tons per year, without considering the heavy footprint of transporting the glass.

The innovation was developed using wood from the balsa tree, which is native to South and Central America. The team treated balsa wood to an oxidizing bath, where the wood is kept in a bleach solution at room temperature to remove the light-absorbing substance from the structure. The wood is then penetrated (注入) with a synthetic polymer called polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), creating a product that is virtually transparent. So the transparent wood is created, which is far more durable and lighter than glass.

Switching to transparent wood could prove to be cost efficient as well. It is approximately five times more thermally efficient than glass, cutting energy costs. It is made from a sustainable, renewable resource with low carbon emissions.

With all of these potential benefits for consumers, manufacturing and the environment, the case for transparent wood couldn't be clearer.

  1. (1) What is the main problem with glass used in window construction?
    A . It is inefficient in letting heat out. B . It is inconvenient to transport. C . It causes a high ecological price. D . It scarcely reflects light and heat.
  2. (2) What does the underlined part "a bleach solution" refer to?
    A . A way to make colors fade. B . A liquid to make objects pale. C . A container to store liquids. D . A process to solve problems.
  3. (3) What do the researchers probably agree with?
    A . Innovation is the vitality of scientific housing. B . Things are not always what they seem. C . There are more ways to the wood than one. D . There is nothing permanent except change.
  4. (4) What is the author's attitude toward transparent wood?
    A . Skeptical. B . Ambiguous. C . Appreciative. D . Conservative.
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Canadians have a global reputation (名声) for being polite. A survey ranked Canada first out of 50 countries. Most Canadians think that while being polite can be a superficial attitude when people are communicating with friend and strangers, being "kind" to others generally requires a much greater effort and truly knows who you are as a person.

A national survey made by Environics Research Group for Coca-Cola Canada shows that on average each Canadian has shown kindness to others through random (随意的) actions four times in the last four weeks. Examples of their kindness include things such as opening a door for a stranger, offering to carry heavy items or giving up your seat for someone else in a public bus.

With millions of acts of kindness happening every day, most Canadians surveyed felt kind folks deserved more recognition for their actions. Coca-Cola Canada has decided to praise some very special individuals who make others happy with good acts in their own communities. The goal is to share their stories to help inspire (鼓舞) others to give a little kindness too.

"When it comes to kindness, seeing really is believing," says Carolyn Harty, Senior Brand Manager of Coca-Cola. "More than half of Canadians are inspired to pay it forward themselves when they see others making a kind gesture. It is these small acts of kindness that make a large difference and inspire people and create happiness."

Sixteen-year-old Sheliza Kassam, from Canada, decided on her thirteenth birthday that instead of gifts, she and her family would help feed families in need. Her small action became larger and developed into a non-profit organization that Sheliza now runs to hold birthday parties for children living in shelters who otherwise would not be able to celebrate their special day.

Another teen Nathan Unrau started out with a one-time school charity project that just couldn't help. With the support of his parents, Lunches with Love has become a non-profit organization that makes and gives away 450 paper bag lunches to the local homeless people every other Saturday.

  1. (1) For what are Canadians famous all around the world?
    A . Working hard. B . Being grateful for others' help. C . Behaving well in public. D . Having good manners.
  2. (2) What does the national survey mainly tell us?
    A . Why Canadians show kindness. B . What kindness means. C . How kind Canadians are. D . When Canadians show politeness.
  3. (3) What's the purpose of Coca-Cola Canada's praising the special individuals?
    A . To encourage all the people to spread kindness. B . To celebrate the great events of kindness. C . To show the ways of making others happy. D . To remind people of the importance of kindness.
  4. (4) What did Sheliza Kassam and Nathan Unrau have in common?
    A . They were once supported by others. B . They came from the non-profit organizations. C . They enjoyed staying with poor children. D . They offer others some food.
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By the end of the century, if not sooner, the world's oceans will be bluer and greener thanks to a warming climate, according to a new study.

At the heart of the phenomenon lie tiny marine microorganisms (海洋微生物) called phytoplankton. Because of the way light reflects off the organisms, these phytoplankton create colourful patterns at the ocean surface. Ocean colour varies from green to blue, depending on the type and concentration of phytoplankton. Climate change will fuel the growth of phytoplankton in some areas, while reducing it in other spots, leading to changes in the ocean's appearance.

Phytoplankton live at the ocean surface, where they pull carbon dioxide into the ocean while giving off oxygen. When these organisms die, they bury carbon in the deep ocean, an important process that helps to regulate the global climate. But phytoplankton are vulnerable to the ocean's warming trend. Warming changes key characteristics of the ocean and can affect phytoplankton growth, since they need not only sunlight and carbon dioxide to grow, but also nutrients.

Stephanie Dutkiewicz, a scientist in MIT's Center for Global Chamge Science, built a climate model that projects changes to the oceans throughout the century. In a world that warms up by 3 '℃, it found that multiple changes to the colour of the oceans would occur. The model projects that currently blue areas with little phytoplankton could become even bluer. But in some waters, such as those of the Arctic, a warming will make conditions riper for phytoplankton, and these areas will turn greener." Not only are the quantities of phytoplankton in the ocean changing." she said, "but the type of phytoplankton is changing."

  1. (1) What are the first two paragraphs mainly about?
    A . The various patterns at the ocean surface. B . The cause of the changes in ocean colour. C . The way light reflects off marine organisms. D . The efforts to fuel the growth of phytoplankton.
  2. (2) What does the underlined word "vulnerable" in Paragraph 3 probably mean?
    A . Sensitive. B . Beneficial C . Significant D . Unnoticeable
  3. (3) What can we learn from the passage?
    A . Phytoplankton play a declining role in the marine ecosystem. B . Dutkiewicz's model aims to project phytoplankton changes C . Phytoplankton have been used to control global climate D . Oceans with more phytoplankton may appear greener.
  4. (4) What is the main purpose of the passage?
    A . To assess the consequences of ocean colour changes B . To analyse the composition of the ocean food chain C . To explain the effects of climate change on oceans D . To introduce a new method to study phytoplankton
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

Many Americans use smartphones for most or all of their day-to-day communication activities. But how fast are we at using an electronic device? A new study has some answers. A team of researchers carried out an experiment. It involved more than 37, 000 volunteers from over 160 countries.

On average, the volunteers estimated(估计) they spent about six hours a day using their phones. The majority said they used two thumbs(拇指) to write messages. Both Android and iPhone users were tested, and most said they used the device's standard keyboard. The volunteers were given 15 English sentences to type out on their phones as quickly and accurately(精确地) as possible. The research team found that on average, people wrote about 36 words per minute. Those tested made a typing mistake 2. 3 percent of the time.

The researchers noted that 36 words per minute is about 25 percent slower than the average rate for people using a computer keyboard. But the fastest phone typists reached speeds of over 80 words per minute. Subjects who reported using two thumbs or two fingers reached speeds of 38 words per minute. Those who said they used only one finger typed 29 words per minute. Among age groups, the fastest typists on an electronic device were between 10 and 19 years old.

Researchers said it makes sense that younger people have higher typing speeds because they generally spend a lot more time on their devices. "Such a large quantity of experience contributes to the development of the typing skill, " they said. "And it explains why young people — who spend more time with social media, communicating with each other — are picking up higher speeds. "

The researchers call the difference between typing words on a smartphone and a physical keyboard "the typing gap". They predict this gap will further narrow(变窄) in the future as people get less skilled with keyboards and as smart methods for typing on devices continue to improve.

  1. (1) What is mainly talked about in the text?
    A . How to improve the typing speed on a smartphone. B . Researchers studied the typing speed on smartphones. C . Smartphones are widely used in daily communication. D . People have different ways of typing on their smartphones.
  2. (2) What causes the development of the typing skill on a phone?
    A . The use of fingers. B . Typing with two thumbs. C . The amount of experience. D . The practice of the computer keyboards.
  3. (3) What do we know from the last paragraph?
    A . Typing on a smartphone is likely to be faster in the future. B . People will type fewer words on smartphones than on computers. C . Fewer and fewer people will use computer keyboards in the future. D . The typing gap will be larger as new typing methods are introduced.
  4. (4) What is the text?
    A . An education paper. B . A blog post. C . A health investigation. D . A research report.
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When the Apollo astronauts(宇航员) landed on the Moon in 1969, millions of people were rather sad. The person to blame for this was an artist named Chesley Bonestell.For many years, Bonestell had been creating beautifully detailed paintings of the Moon and planets. Viewers of his artwork were unhappy because the real Moon did not look like Bonestell's pictures of it.

As a space artist, Bonestell tried to make his drawings look exciting and as true as the Moon is. He worked closely with astronomers and scientists to get the most up-to-date scientific information available. But in the 1940s and 1950s, no one had ever seen another planet up close. Yet Bonestell's paintings looked so real that some people thought they were photographs.

Even though Bonestell was interested in astronomy, he did not start out as a space artist. As a young man he studied architecture—the art and science of designing and making buildings .In 1938, Bonestell became a special effects artist in Hollywood. It was here that he learned he could improve his paintings by following the methods used in the movies.

In 1944, a popular magazine published a series of Bonestell's paintings of the planet Saturn. He drew Saturn as if it were seen by someone standing on each of the planet's moons. The results were dazzling. Within a few years, Bonestell's artwork was appearing regularly in magazines and books on astronomy and space flight.

Many of Bonestell's artworks had been right all along. But the biggest surprise was the Moon. Someone asked Bonestell what he was thinking when he saw the first pictures from the Moon. "I thought how wrong I was!" he said. "My mountains were sharp, and they aren't on the Moon."

But he shouldn't have felt bad. No space artist had ever before taken so many people to so many faraway worlds. In the years just before the first manned space flights, Bonestell's artwork prepared people for the amazing space adventure to come.

  1. (1) Bonestell made his space drawings__________.
    A . from a very early age B . by copying photographs C . with the help of scientists D . in order to make a living
  2. (2) The underlined word "dazzling" in Paragraph 4 can best be replaced by "        ".
    A . doubtful B . worrying C . terrible D . wonderful
  3. (3) Bonestell's success lay in the fact that__________.
    A . he created a new drawing skill B . he helped finish the first space flight C . he made space travel more popular D . he helped bring space closer to people
  4. (4) What would be the best title for the text?
    A . The First Men on the Moon B . The Space Art of Chesley Bonestell C . The Journeys of the Apollo Astronauts D . Spacewalking:Through an Astronaut's Eyes
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