【推荐3】When you picture doing a science project, you might imagine looking through a microscope or building a model volcano. But science projects can be done anywhere. Many teens get inspired from playing musical instruments to doing gymnastics. All it takes to transform your favorite activities into a science project is identifying a problem you want to solve.

Elizabeth, 14, who is in seventh grade at Davis Drive Middle School in Cary, N. C, designed a program. Her method is based on the golden ratio (比例). This ratio is often used to create pleasing parts in artworks. The ratio also appears in nature. Elizabeth’s data storage strategy helps computers write data evenly (均匀地) across memory devices. This could help such devices last longer.

“As long as I can remember, I’ve been an artistic person,” Elizabeth says, “In fourth grade, my art teacher taught us about the golden ratio. And at that point it was just, you know, something to use when we were painting.” But last year, Elizabeth had to replace the memory in her own computer, thinking the golden ratio might work in information storage, too. Elizabeth tested her golden-ratio technique by running programs on a computer.

But before this project, Elizabeth had no coding experience. To prepare, she spent months reading a textbook on how to code. She says, “It wasn’t like an ‘ah-ha’ moment. Writing programs is such a boring process. But it was just exciting to explore and see the computer actually just doing stuff that I told it to do after those hours.”

“Don’t limit yourself,” Elizabeth adds, “One of the biggest challenges you face is changing your mindset. I never thought that science or computer science would be my kind of thing, but after learning a bit about programming, I found that it was actually a new way to express myself. Words, painting, now programming.”

1. What can we learn about science projects according to this passage?

A．They can come from different hobbies.	B．They will inspire teens to find solutions.
C．They need skills in building models.	D．They may involve great imagination.

2. What is Elizabeth’s programming used for?

A．Strengthening memories.	B．Storing information.
C．Creating fine works.	D．Protecting nature.

3. What can we infer from the fourth paragraph?

A．Imagination is the source of creation.	B．Laugh it off when facing difficulties.
C．Well begun is half done.	D．Every effort will pay off.

4. What is Elizabeth doing with her words in the last paragraph?

A．Expressing doubts.	B．Making promises.
C．Offering advice.	D．Giving response.

【推荐1】As people travelling by air become increasingly aware of their carbon footprint, flying has become not only one of the most polluting industries, but also one with the most potential to turn things around.

After Solar Impulse 2 completed the world’s first flight by a solar-powered aircraft in 2016, airlines and aircraft producers looked to become the first to provide a commercial plane. Bertrand Piccard, one of the pilots responsible for Solar Impulse 2’s journey said, “All the clean technologies we’ve already had can be used everywhere. We have to use them, not only for the environment, but also because they are profitable and able to create jobs.”

The following year saw many projects in the aviation (航空) field as the airline industry acknowledged the future of low- carbon transportation methods. In 2017, Zunum Aero, a small aviation company which focused on delivering a range of hybrid-electric (混合电动的) planes received financial aid from JetBlue and Boeing, whilst EasyJet teamed up with Wright Electric to develop battery-powered aircraft and NASA also announced its plans to develop its own electric aircraft.

Orkney Islands, lying about 20 miles north of the Scottish mainland, are rich in renewable resources, especially the wind energy. Loganair, a Scottish airline, is cooperating with aviation companies to make Orkney the world’s first fully electric airline routes. However, this is never easy. Due to the limited size and weight of a battery that an airplane can carry, airplane producers are faced with a bottleneck—the continued power supply for electric airplanes. They believe the abundant wind energy in Orkney could be the key to solving it.

The benefits of electric air travel transcend its low-carbon emissions. Aviation experts believe these aircraft’s power source will also mean they will be less noisy, smaller, require less maintenance costs, and need a shorter runway to take off and land—this could lead to more airports in small cities and more rural areas being connected to the world at large.

1. What did Bertrand want to convey in his words?

A．The future of aircraft pilots.

B．The success of Solar Impulse 2.

C．The convenience of commercial planes.

D．The significance of using renewable energy.

2. How did EasyJet carry out the low-carbon transportation methods?

A．By asking for financial support from banks.

B．By cooperating with another company.

C．By purchasing patents from other countries.

D．By improving the technology on its own.

3. What will airplane producers probably do to make Orkney’s electric airline routes a reality?

A．Use natural resources to charge airplanes.

B．Build more coal-fired power stations.

C．Develop shorter airline routes.

D．Increase the size of battery.

4. What’s the benefit of electric planes besides its green footprint?

A．Making plane tickets cheaper.	B．Making the flying time shorter.
C．Making the world more connected.	D．Making the plane maintenance easier.

【推荐2】If you’re a fan of fast fashion, your choices may be narrowing in the near future.

At the end of 2020, fast-fashion giant H&M said it would close 350 stores worldwide. Recently, Spanish fashion giant Inditex announced that it would close all its Bershka, Pull & Bear and Stradivarius stores in China. It all indicates that fast fashion is slowing down, noted the website Fast Company.

A major reason is the shift in the mindset (心态) of consumers. Millennials, those who were born in the 1980s or 1990s, are now the largest consumer group. Unlike their predecessors (前人), millennials are more financially stable, and thus low-priced fast fashion is not their priority. According to The South China Morning Post, more people are starting to care about quality and the stories behind a product.

Another factor is the growing concern over the fashion industry’s effect on the environment. As The New York Times noted, the fashion industry is one of the largest polluters of clean water and three-fifths of clothes produced in a year end up in landfills (垃圾场). As there is more awareness of the climate crisis, younger people are pursuing more eco-friendly choices.

Molly, 22, is one of them. Before she went to college, she used to go frequently to fast-fashion shops like Forever 21 and H&M. But after taking a class that focused on the environmental impact of clothing production, her preference changed. Now, she tries to shop in a way that is both sustainable (可持续的) and affordable: She shops second-hand. “My friend showed me how easy it was to be thrifty (节约的), and I developed a new personal style that focused less on trends but on basics that don’t go out of style,” she told MTV News.

In order to survive in the competitive market, many fast-fashion brands are making changes as well. For example, Inditex said that the company plans for all of its clothes to be sustainable by 2025.

“Sustainability is a never-ending task in which everyone here is involved,” said Pablo Isla, CEO of Inditex.

1. Why is fast fashion unpopular among millennials?

A．Millennials attach more importance to quality.	B．Millennials follow former generations’ style.
C．Millennials like brands with a long history.	D．Millennials prefer cheaper clothes.

2. What is the main idea of paragraph 4?

A．Climate change should be blamed on the fashion industry.

B．More people prefer eco-friendly fashion products.

C．Unsold clothes are a threat to the environment

D．Low-quality fashion products don’t last long.

3. The author used the example of Inditex at the end to show ______.

A．how the fast-fashion industry is suffering a big loss.

B．how competition is becoming more fierce in the fashion industry.

C．how a major company can change their products to fit the market.

D．how sustainability has become the top priority for most fashion brands.

4. What is the author’s opinion on the future development of fast fashion?

A．Hopeless.

B．Promising.

C．Unclear.

D．Unpredictable.

【推荐3】Does stress cause gray hairs? Many people believe that stress can cause your hair to lose its color. In fact, it is an old wife’s tale that being upset all the time can result in hair graying early. Here is a closer look at this situation and why some believe that this old wife’s tale could be true.

As one ages, the hairs on the head also age. In fact, just about everything on the human body begins to show signs of wear after a while. Hairs on the head grow and finally die. They are replaced, but in the process something else happens when old hairs are replaced by new hairs. The color of pigment is also added to them. However, as one ages, this pigment becomes less and less available. At first, hairs will have a limited amount of pigment and they will appear to be gray in color. In time, they will lose all of their pigment and will be white.

Many things are known to cause graying, and genetics is a very powerful factor. If one of your parents turns gray at an early age, there is a good chance that you will too. Some people begin the graying process in high school, while others may be over the age of forty.

If you are whites, you will probably notice graying in your mid-thirties. Blacks may be well into their forties. This is not always true, but it is common practice.

Constant worry and stress can have many bad effects on the human body. It is a known fact that stressful times can cause one to suffer hair loss. It would make sense that if stress can cause these problems, perhaps it also may lead to graying. However, there is no sound evidence to support this. On the other hand, many doctors believe that there may be a link between graying and constant state of anxiety or stress.

1. As one ages, his hairs will become white because _________.

A．stress can cause the hair to lose its color

B．his hair will die and be replaced by new hair

C．the color will be added to the new hair

D．his hair will lose all of the pigment

2. Which of the following is TRUE about hair graying according to the passage?

A．Genetics is the only known cause of hair graying.

B．Stress is the main cause of hair graying for high school students.

C．Generally speaking, whites’ hairs become gray earlier than blacks.

D．Hair graying actually has nothing to do with your anxiety or stress.

3. There is sound evidence to support that __________.

A．worry and stress lead to hair graying

B．worry and stress do harm to your body

C．the old wife’s tale is true

D．graying is not linked with stress at all

4. What’s the main purpose of the passage?

A．To tell us an old wife’s tale.

B．To tell us stress is harmful to our bodies.

C．To tell us stress may not cause gray hairs.

D．To tell us genetics is a powerful factor.

【推荐1】It was Thanksgiving morning and in the crowded kitchen of my small home I was busy preparing the traditional Thanksgiving turkey when the doorbell rang. I opened the front door and saw two small children in rags huddling together inside the storm door on the top step.

"Any old papers, lady?" asked one of them.

I was busy. I wanted to say "no" until I looked down at their feet. They were wearing thin little sandals, wet with heavy snow.

"Come in and I’ll make you a cup of hot cocoa."

They walked over and sat down at the table. Their wet sandals left marks upon the floor. I served them cocoa and bread with jam to fight against the cold outside. Then I went back to the kitchen and started again on my household budget.

The silence in the front room struck me. I looked in. The girl held the empty cup in her hands, looking at it. The boy asked in a flat voice, "Lady, are you rich?"

I looked at my shabby slipcovers. The girl put her cup back in its saucer carefully and said, "Your cups match your saucers." Her voice was hungry with a need that no amount of food could supply. They left after that, holding their bundles of papers against the wind. They hadn’t said "Thank you." They didn’t need to. They had reminded me that I had so much for which to be grateful. Plain blue china cups and saucers were only worth five pence. But they matched.

I tasted the potatoes and stirred the meat soup. Potatoes and brown meat soup, a roof over our heads, my man with a good steady job-these matched, too.

I moved the chairs back from the fire and cleaned the living room. The muddy prints of small sandals were still wet upon my floor. Let them be for a while, I thought, just in case I should begin to forget how rich I am.

1. Why did the writer let the children in?

A．She showed great pity on them.

B．She had old papers to sell.

C．She wanted to invite them to her Thanksgiving feast.

D．She wanted them to see how rich she was.

2. The girl thought the writer was rich perhaps because_________.

A．she saw that the lady's room was comfortable

B．she saw the cups matched the saucers

C．the writer’s slipcovers were very new

D．the writer was preparing a big meal while she was too hungry

3. From the passage, we can infer that whether you are rich depends on __________.

A．how much money you have had	B．how you feel about your life
C．how you have helped others	D．what job your husband is doing

4. The writer left the muddy prints of small sandals on the floor for a while to_________

A．show her husband that someone had come

B．remind her that she had helped two children

C．remind her that she was very rich in the neighborhood

D．remind her how life should be

【推荐2】

Dear Principal Stanton, The date for our annual Desert Path Pride Spirit Week is rapidly coming and the Student Council has been discussing some new ideas about how to celebrate school pride this year. Since Spirit Week is the week before scheduled testing, we would like to suggest combining student festivities with preparation for testing. We want to assure you that all activities would focus on academics while providing fun for those involved. Our plan for the week is as follows: Monday—Math Day would include fun math games in the classrooms and school-wide activities such as guessing the number of bricks in a building, recording times at relay races, and competitions for multiplication facts. Tuesday—Reader’s Roundup would focus on books and authors. Students and teachers can come dressed as their favorite author or character from a book. This day would be great for the contest of “Best Reader”. Older students can share reading time with younger aged buddies. Wednesday—Writer’s Day would display student writing from previously held competitions for types of writing like poems, stories and essays. Of course there would be prizes given for outstanding writing in each category. Thursday—No Fear Day would be where we have our spirited assembly (集合) to get us ready for testing. The Student Council could even put on a skit(短剧) showing how all of us at Desert Path are ready for test week. These are just a few of the ideas we are asking you to consider. We would like to have the opportunity to meet with you and discuss our plan and to hear what ideas you may have for Spirit Week. Please let us know when you can schedule some time to meet. Respectfully yours, The Student Council

1. Why does the Student Council write this letter to Principal Stanton?

A．To discuss their plan.

B．To advertise Spirit Week.

C．To explain their test schedule.

D．To invite the principal to Spirit Week.

2. If you want to read your favorite books to others, you will take part in activities ______.

A．on Monday	B．on Tuesday
C．on Wednesday	D．on Thursday

3. If you do good jobs on Writer’s Day, you may probably _______.

A．be given prizes

B．dress as you like

C．get high marks in the test

D．have fun in school-wide activities

4. Which of the following will most likely happen as a result of this letter?

A．The principal will give prizes.

B．Spirit Week will be cancelled.

C．Spirit Week will be postponed.

D．The principal will meet the Student Council.

【推荐3】A teacher in the US asked students to finish the sentence: “ I wish my teacher knew...” However, we have recently asked teachers what they wish their students knew.

Jackie Schneider, music teacher, London

I wish my students knew that education is not a competitive sport. No child is a number. Levels tell you more about the school than the child. In the same way, some kids take longer to learn to walk and talk and some take longer to learn literacy and numeracy skills, which does not matter. Every child has the potential to be gifted and talented. I wish they knew that reading could bring them more joy than they could ever imagine and that their singing voice is beautiful.

Avais Qureshi, citizenship teacher, London

I wish they knew that life is about so much more than who approves of you and who doesn’t. A lot of kids are too hung-up on peer groups. I wish they knew that this time doesn’t return: they need to focus on their top tasks and getting the grades they need.

Nandia Helal, Langdon Academy, London

I wish my students knew how hard we work. I have them on my mind for 12-15 hours a day. If I’m out on the weekend, there’s always a sense of guilt----like I should be marking or planning lessons for the upcoming week. I never feel like I’m doing enough for their education.

Geoff Barton, head teacher, King Edward VI School, Bury St Edmunds

I wish my students knew that while school and qualifications matter a lot, they are merely doors into our future: the really important things in our lives, and the people who will mean most to us, all lie ahead. Students should seize every opportunity now, in and beyond the classroom, to develop the skill, qualities and knowledge ready for the adventures that lie ahead.

1. Jackie Schneider thinks that _________.

A．it’s easier for kids to learn to walk than to learn literacy skills

B．it does not matter whether a kid learns quickly or slowly

C．education is something like a competitive sport

D．reading is more joyful than singing

2. Avais Qureshi wants kids _________.

A．to value others’ views	B．to return to the traditional times
C．to be harmonious with peer fellows	D．to concentrate on their own business

3. What is Nandia Helal like?

A．She is a responsible teacher.	B．She feels content with her teaching.
C．She wants her students to work hard.	D．She thinks she has done too much for education.

4. According to Geoff Barton, _________.

A．qualifications matter much more

B．skills, qualities and knowledge are doors into the future

C．students develop different skills and qualities merely in class

D．students will experience really important things in the future

5. What does the underlined word “they” in the last paragraph refer to?

A．My students.	B．School and qualifications.
C．The really important things.	D．The skills, qualities and knowledge.

【推荐1】Waking up with “morning breath” is quite normal, and it usually goes away after eating and drinking, or brushing your teeth. Your breath can also smell different after drinking coffee or alcohol, or eating spicy food, garlic or onions—sometimes you may think you've got bad breath when actually it's quite okay.

However, if you're concerned or embarrassed about halitosis（口臭）—ongoing bad breath, a trip to the doctor or dentist should be in order, because there could be something else going on with your health.

Your mouth is the first place to investigate the origin of bad breath. When smell-causing bacteria attack food after eating, they release strong-smelling sulphur（硫）. People with halitosis may have more of these bacteria present in their mouth. Additionally, not cleaning, or brushing your teeth properly leads to a build-up of harmful substances on the teeth, and can cause some swelling and strong smell in the mouth. Medical conditions that reduce the amount of saliva（唾液）in the mouth can cause problems too. That's because saliva keeps the mouth just wet, reducing strong smell.

Strong-smelling breath can be a symptom of medical conditions such as mouth or throat infections. A pear-smelling breath caused by high blood sugar, which occurs as a result of uncontrolled diabetes（糖尿病）, can also indicate some other serious diseases.

If you're worried how your breath smells at close range, nutritionist Katrina Pace comes to the rescue with simple tips. "Keep away from sharp-tasting food, drink and alcohol," Katrina said. "Drinking water regularly and chewing fresh parsley（欧芹）can also help."

1. When should we see a doctor about a bad breath?

A．After eating sharp-tasting food.	B．When waking up with morning breath
C．After drinking coffee or alcohol.	D．When having continuous smelly breath.

2. What does paragraph 3 mainly talk about?

A．The causes of bad breath.	B．The effects of medicines
C．The importance of saliva.	D．The necessity of teeth-brushing.

3. What can we learn from paragraph 4?

A．Strong-smelling breath may result in diabetes.

B．Mouth infections are a symptom of bad breath.

C．Pear-smelling breath may be a sign of some diseases

D．Throat infections are caused by strong-smelling breath.

4. In which section of a newspaper may this text appear?

A．Business.

B．Health

C．Education

D．Entertainment.

【推荐2】It is not always a good thing to praise children because “empty” words may make them unhappy. Words such as “well done” may make them doubt their own abilities, a leading psychologist (心理学家) Stephen Grosz has warned. He says that words such as “you’re so clever” or “you’re such an artist” could also hinder their future development at school. He says that such empty praise causes children to be unhappy as they may say they can’t live up to these expectations.

Instead he advises parents and teachers to praise children less frequently and use words like “trying really hard,” Mr. Grosz said, “Empty praise is as bad as thoughtless criticism (批评). People often pay no attention to children’s feelings and thoughts.” He also mentions research showing that children who are heavily praised probably perform worse at school.

Some psychologists from Columbia University asked 128 pupils aged 10 and 11 to work out a number of math problems. Afterwards, some were told, “You did really well — you’ re so clever.” But the researchers told the other group, “You did really well — you must have tried really lard.” Both groups of children were then given more difficult questions and those who had been told they were clever did not do as well as the others.

He says that when collecting his daughter from a school near their home in North London, he heard a teacher tell her, “You have drawn the most beautiful tree. Well done,” Later, after she had done another drawing, the same teacher said, “Wow, you are really an artist.” In his book, Mr. Grosz writes, “How could I explain to the teacher that I would prefer it if she did not praise my daughter?”

As a parent of two children, I strongly agree with Mr. Grosz. I praise them when praising is proven right. I want them to know if I praise them, they have done something beyond my expectation, beyond what they are able to do.

1. The underlined word “hinder” in Paragraph 1 probably means “_______”.

A．allow	B．prevent
C．encourage	D．control

2. Which of the following praise does Mr. Grosz like most?

A．You are so clever!	B．Well done, darling!
C．You must have tried hard!	D．You are such an artist!

3. The example of 128 pupils is given to show _______.

A．the disadvantage of praising children strongly

B．children’s growing interest in math

C．teaching children is a difficult job

D．children are becoming cleverer and cleverer

4. What does the author mainly tell us in the text?

A．Many children can’t live up to their parents’ expectations.

B．Praise makes good men better and bad men worse.

C．Parents should spend more time with their children.

D．Too much praise can sometimes hurt children.

【推荐3】Welcome to SummerCamps.com; find and book the very best summer camps. Your children are precious so we offer the highest quality of camps that will meet each child’s needs and interests.

Catalina Sea Camp

Sea Camp offers three one-week sessions to boys and girls aged 8-13 and two three-week sessions to teens aged 12-17. Our hand-picked instructors create an atmosphere of fun and excitement while leading campers to a host of ocean adventures, marine(海洋的) biology, and social summer camp activities.

Address: Toyon Way, San Bruno, California 94066

Phone: 800-645-1423

Camp Cayuga

Camp Cayuga is a private summer camp for children aged 6 to 16. The camp is on a 350-acre land in the Pocono Mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania, just outside the village of Honesdale. It’s a 3-hour drive from New York City to Philadelphia.

Address: 321 Niles Pond Road-Suite ISC, Honesdale, Pennsylvania 18431

Phone: 908-470-1224

Camp Rockmont

Camp Rockmont is a Christian summer camp for boys, aged 6-16, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Rockmont’s duty of developing boys into healthy young men is accomplished through age-appropriate skills, activities, and challenges that help campers to know themselves better.

Address: 375 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, North Carolina 28711

Phone: 828-686-3885

Primitive Pursuits Overnight Camps

Primitive Pursuits Overnight Camps offer week-long Summer Adventure Overnight Camps in New York’s Finger Lakes to your children aged 11-15. Campers experience a week of nature-based skills training, inspiring challenges, and fun activities under the guidance of skilled instructors.

Address: 611 County Rd 13, Van Etten, New York 14889

Phone: 607-272-2292

1. If a boy is curious about sea creatures, which camp should he go to?

A．Catalina Sea Camp

B．Camp Cayuga

C．Camp Rockmont

D．Primitive Pursuits Overnight Camps

2. Where should a girl of 7 go for camping?

A．Toyon Way, San Bruno.

B．611 County Rd 13, Van Etten.

C．375 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain.

D．321 Niles Pond Road- Suite ISC, Honesdale.

3. You can find this passage from           .

A．a magazine	B．the Internet
C．a textbook	D．a newspaper