He is regarded as having one of the brightest minds on the planet.But outstanding astrophysicist(天体物理学家)Stephen Hawking admitted that he did not learn to read until he was eight years old.In a public lecture at the Royal Albert Hall,Professor Hawking also admitted that he was not active in studying while at Oxford University,where he studied physics,and that only the diagnosis that he might die young from motor neurone(神经元)disease made him concentrate on his work.
Professor Hawking said,"My sister Philippa could read by the age of 4 and then she was definitely brighter than me."He said that he was unexceptional at school and was never further than halfway up his class."My classwork was very untidy,and my handwriting was the despair of my teachers,"he said."But my classmates gave me the nickname Einstein,so presumably they saw signs of something better."
But he said that it was when doctors told him that he probably only had a few years to live at the age of 21 that he was galvanized into focusing on his work and a period of productivity that resulted in some of his early breakthroughs.He said,"When you are faced with the possibility of an early death,it makes you realize that life is worth living and there are lots of things you want to do."
1. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?A.Stephen Hawking is the second Einstein in the world. |
B.Stephen Hawking couldn't read at the age of 7. |
C.Stephen Hawking's handwriting was once terribly bad. |
D.Stephen Hawking's sister once performed much better than him. |
A.Patience. | B.Knowledge. | C.Disease. | D.Laziness. |
A.Stephen Hawking didn't realize his dreams in physics. |
B.It was possible for Hawking to face the early death. |
C.The purpose of the doctor's diagnosis was to encourage him to work hard. |
D.His life might be taken away by long hard work. |
A.His sister. | B.His classmates. | C.His teachers. | D.His parents. |
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【推荐1】There have been nine secetary0generals of the United Nations (联合国秘书长) since the first one was appointed (任命) in 1946. But somehow, Kofi Annan has been the one that people tend to remember the best.
Annan, born in Ghana, was the first black African to ever hold the job. And he won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2001. Just as the New York Times put it, Annan “redefined (重新定义) the UN”.
During those 10 years—from 1997 to 2006—the world was at its worst. This period witnessed the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, the Sept. 11 attacks of 2001, and the US’s invasion (侵略) of Iraq in 2003.
On its own, the UN has little power. However, Annan combined that power with his own to achieve great things. He kept the world from falling apart from attacks and wars. He also fought for women’s rights and the educational rights of children, and fought against the spread of HIV in Africa.
It was because of these things that he and the UN were awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2001, for their work toward “a better organized and a more peaceful world”. Annan also put “people” at the center of everything the UN does. He took the trouble to relate to (建立联系) others—young or old, senior or junior, ambassador (大使) or security guard (保安).
Maybe what Annan did was more than just redefine the UN. Indeed, as Antonio Guterres, current secretary-general of the UN, said, “In many ways, Kofi Annan was the UN.”
1. According to the passage, we can learn that ______.A.secretary-generals are not usually remembered by people |
B.people believe that Annan has been the best leader of Ghana |
C.Annan is the only black man to win the Noble Peace Prize |
D.Annan is the first black African secretary-general of the UN |
A.saw | B.made |
C.prevented | D.happened |
A.Women and children were kept from being attacked. |
B.He stopped the spread of HIV and found the cure for AIDS in Africa. |
C.He made the world a better and more peaceful place. |
D.He has every country get the same rights in the UN. |
A.Annan has trouble in communicating with others. |
B.People are believed less important than others by Annan. |
C.The current leader of the UN thins highly of Annan and his great achievements. |
D.People in higher position easily get more support from the leaders of the UN. |
【推荐2】One of my wonderful memories is about a Christmas gift. Unlike other gifts, it came without wrap (包装).
On September 11th, 1958, Mum gave birth to Richard. After she brought him home from hospital, she put him in my lap, saying, “I promised you a gift, and here it is.” What an honour! I turned four a month earlier and none of my friends had such a baby doll of their own. I played with it day and night. I sang to it. I told it stories. I told it over and over how much I loved it!
One morning, however, I found its bed empty. My doll was gone! I cried for it.Mum wept and told me that the poor little thing had been sent to a hospital. It had a fever. For several days, I heard Mum and Dad whispering such words as “hopeless”, “pitiful”, and “dying”, which sounded ominous.
Christmas was coming. “Don’t expect any presents this year,” Dad said, pointing at the socks I hung in the living room.“If your baby brother lives, that’ll be Christmas enough.” As he spoke, his eyes filled with tears. I’d never seen him cry before.
The phone rang early on Christmas morning. Dad jumped out of bed to answer it. From my bedroom I heard him say, “What? He’s all right?” He hung up and shouted upstairs. “The hospital said we can bring Richard home!”
“Thank God!” I heard Mum cry.
From the upstairs window, I watched my parents rush out to the car. I had never seen them so happy. And I was also full of joy. What a wonderful day! My baby doll would be home. I ran downstairs. My socks still hung there flat. But I knew they were not empty; they were filled with love!
1. What happened to the author on September 11th, 1958?A.He got a baby brother. |
B.He got a Christmas gift. |
C.He became four years old. |
D.He received a doll. |
A.Impossible. | B.Boring. |
C.Difficult. | D.Fearful. |
A.Excitement. | B.Happiness. |
C.Sadness. | D.Disappointment. |
A.A sad Christmas day. |
B.Life with a lovely baby. |
C.A special Christmas gift. |
D.Memories of a happy family. |
【推荐3】A 24-year-old Ethiopian runner Shura Kitata won the men’s race in the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon, crossing the line in 2:05:41.
Kitata finished second in the 2018 London Marathon behind the world record holder Eliud Kipchoge. However, this weekend, Kitata won the Virgin Money London Marathon and thanked fellow Ethiopian, Kenenisia Bekele for his win when he talked to a reporter from the BBC. Kitata said Bekele was helping him for the race and advised him how to run. He trained hard for the same course in this way. Fortunately, he won the race for his hard training.
Kitata showed his excellent performances including victories at the 2017 Rome Marathon and 2017 Frankfurt Marathon title victories, where he finished separately with the times 2:07:30 and 2:05:50.
Kitata was born on a family farm in central Ethiopia, not far from the capital of Addis Ababa, and has four sisters and three brothers. As a youngster at school, he learned quickly about his country’s marathon history. The names Abebe Bikila, Kenenisia Bekele and Derartu Tulu left a deep impression on him. They seemed to be everywhere t—textbooks, news-papers and on the radio so that even before he started running, he knew about the marathon, and thought it very thrilling.
He loved sports and began running at primary school. When he performed well, he just rode the wave. Kitata took part in his first marathon five years ago in Shanghai, finishing third in 2:08:50 and soon joined an elite training group in Addis Ababa.
Now he appears calm to join the ranks of great Ethiopian marathoners. He is a famous sportsman, like the ones he read about and heard so much about during his childhood. He said it would be a great joy to add his story to the stories of those who came before him.
1. What’s Shura Kitata’s attitude towards Kenenisia Bekele?A.Doubtful | B.Tolerant |
C.Grateful. | D.Unclear. |
A.He attended two marathons in total. |
B.He learned about marathon from his brothers. |
C.He became a marathon runner at primary school. |
D.He had a passion for marathon when he was young. |
A.Young children | B.Great marathon runners |
C.High ranks | D.Joyful stories. |
A.Focused and athletic. | B.Modest and brave |
C.Warm-hearted and humorous. | D.Open-minded and helpful |
【推荐1】Before you know it, the sound of sleigh(雪橇)bells will be heard on your rooftop. If you love the holidays but hate the cold, why not wear your coat and wool gloves this year and celebrate a warm Christmas?
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a small town with a huge heart and is located in the heart of the Lowcountry. It is close to Savannah and Charleston, and a short drive to the beaches of Hilton Head Island. Its location is great for visiting the larger cities and enjoying the sights and sounds of a small town. December temperatures average in the low 60s.
Orlando, Florida
Enjoy everything in Orlando without the huge crowds of summer. Theme parks have special attractions this time of year, such as “Mickey's Very Merry Christmas”, but be aware that some of the special attractions require a separate ticket. Orlando temperatures average around 72 degrees in December.
San Francisco, California
The City by the Bay comes alive in December as it transforms into a wonderland of lights. Stay near Union Square so you are close to all the activities and can easily get around via the historic cable cars. San Francisco's December temperatures average in the high 50s.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Celebrate Christmas season in the Big Easy. The Oaks, visited by over 122,000 people last year, has one of the most beautiful Christmas exhibitions in the country. Many hotels in the area offer Papa Noel specials, making this a very affordable holiday destination. December temperatures average in the 60s.
1. You can easily travel through San Francisco by_________ .A.bike | B.cable car | C.taxi | D.bus |
A.enjoy a wonderland of lights | B.avoid the huge crowds |
C.enjoy Papa Noel specials | D.visit various theme parks |
A.To inform readers of some popular sports events. |
B.To describe different celebrations during the Christmas. |
C.To introduce four places' special Christmas traditions. |
D.To introduce four places to spend a warm Christmas. |
【推荐2】San Francisco is going to do what many other cities have already done-provide free bicycles for the public. The mayor of San Francisco supports the bicycle program. He wants to improve the terrible traffic problems in the city.
At first, 40 to 60 bikes will be available only to city workers. People will give their old bikes to the city to use in the program. If this program is successful, one day more than 1,000 bicycles will be available. Everyone, not just city workers, will be able to use these bicycles.
People in Fresno, California already have a free bicycle program. In fact, this idea began in Amsterdam over 40 years ago. These programs encourage citizens to get out of their cars and onto pollution-free bikes.
Fresno's Yellow Bike Program puts about forty bicycles around the city. The bikes are painted bright yellow so people know they can take them. When people take a yellow bike, they can ride to work or to shopping areas, and then leave the bike for the next rider.
Some people worry that the free bikes will be stolen. However, theft hasn't been a problem in free-bike cities by now.
While most people think the bike program is a good idea, only a few say they will use it. "I will still drive my car," says Joanna Greene. "San Francisco has a lot of hills. My office is at the top of Potrero Hill. I don't think I'm in good shape. And, wouldn't I have to carry a helmet with me all the time?"
Phil Chung agrees, "There is too much traffic. Riding a bicycle can be risky. There are not very many bike lanes. " He continues, "Plus, it's too cold in the winter. And what if you ride a bike to work, and then there isn't one to ride home?"
Program leaders know there will be problems. But they think it's worth trying. "It's not the solution for everyone," states Sylvia Pass. "But if just one hundred people use it every day, that's one hundred cars that aren't on the streets, one hundred parking spaces that aren't used. I think it's a great" beginning. "
1. Why does San Francisco provide bicycles to the public?A.There are many bikes available. |
B.Many people don't have cars of their own. |
C.Many other cities have already done so. |
D.The traffic problems are terrible. |
A.Free bikes will be stolen. |
B.San Francisco is not flat at all. |
C.Riding a bike is not safe enough. |
D.It will be too cold in the winter. |
A.Negative. | B.Positive. |
C.Objective. | D.Indifferent. |
【推荐3】The coronavirus in China right now has really turned things upside down for a lot of people, but not even it can come between a marathon runner and his training.
Like many of his countrymen, Pan Shancu, an amateur marathon runner from Hangzhou, in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang, is trapped in his apartment because of the COVID-19,but he didn't let that small detail stop him from keeping in shape for his next race, whenever it may be. He has been using the small space in his apartment as a training track, jogging around two tables and the short length of a small hallway, and recently posted on social media.
“I could not bear siting around anymore," Pan wrote. "Let's run laps in the room! Yes, one lap is about eight meters (26 feet) and I ran 50 kilometers (31 miles),I did it in 4:48:44. I am sweating all over, feeling great!"
The runner, who has a marathon best of two hours and 59 minutes, also wrote that he considers his neighbors while jogging, trying to step as lightly as possible on the floor as not to disturb them. He completed 6, 250 circuits in one of his rooms in four hours, 48 minutes and 44 seconds, and his neighbors have yet to complain.
Pan Shancu's achievement spread rapidly like virus this week, with people praising his training spirit, and saying to adopting similar strategies to stay in shape.
“I start in the kitchen, go through the living room, turn into my daughter's room, the less than 20m-long racecourse has beautiful scenery and on my left, my husband' s snoring is cheering me on," one commented on Pan' s post. "This is a silent battle. My husband' s opinion is that I have psychological issues.
1. What made Pan have to stay at home according to this passage?A.His serious illness. | B.His desire to be in shape. |
C.The marathon race. | D.The COVID-19. |
A.Brave and active. | B.Aggressive and negative. |
C.Determined and thoughtful. | D.Optimistic and selfless. |
A.They complain about it. | B.They are encouraged by him. |
C.They' re amazed by his strategies. | D.They think he has psychological problem. |
A.A trapped person in China jogs 50 km in his apartment. |
B.Running in the house does good to people' s health. |
C.COVID-19 inspired people to stay in shape in their apartment. |
D.People have shown some psychological issues in China. |
Many people love travelling, but if their English is poor, it can be difficult to understand signs, read directions and make themselves understood. Before travelling, it is important to understand the culture and customs of the places you visit. Learning basic English before you travel will help you to understand these customs and avoid mistakes that could be embarrassing. When you are travelling, you will also enjoy meeting new people. If you can speak English, you will have a better chance of being able to communicate with the people you meet. Many of your new friends will speak English and others will have English as a second language. Without English, your friendships will be limited as you travel around the world.
If you are involved in business, it is important to be able to communicate in English. The Internet, world travel and modern communication systems have made the world seem like a much smaller place. These days business people interact with customers and other business people from all over the world. That makes your English language skills more important than ever. There are many English language courses that major in business communications. Improving your English skills is one of the best things you could ever do to increase your chances of business success.
1. What kind of people is English important to according to the passage?
A.Travelers. | B.Teachers. | C.Students. | D.Language experts. |
A.Travelling around the world with English-speakers. |
B.Taking a course in an English-speaking country. |
C.Learning from all kinds of books or DVDs. |
D.Learning on the Internet by yourselves. |
A.To research the causes of cultural differences. |
B.To understand the customs of your destination. |
C.To avoid embarrassing mistakes on your journey. |
D.To have more opportunities to communicate with others. |
A.The more you practice, the more you will learn. |
B.Doing business helps to improve your communication skills. |
C.English is important for anyone who is involved in business. |
D.The Internet has made the world become smaller and smaller. |
A.learning English well will make you achieve goals more easily |
B.learning English only aims at achieving business success |
C.without learning English, your friendships will be limited wherever you are |
D.you needn’t learn English if you don’t want to travel |
【推荐2】There are plenty of beaches in the world that are attractive for exactly the same reasons. Can you imagine having a swim with pigs, flamingos or even penguins?
Pig Beach: Bahama!
Nobody knows exactly how the pigs got to this remote island, but we can easily understand why they decided to stay: good temperature, clear water...
The Pig island is located in Exuma. There are about 20 wild pigs and piglets that love the beach and to swim. They also like to be caressed, fed, and entertained by the curious tourists!
Akumal Beach: Mexico
The coast of Mexico is the chosen spot by many sea turtles as the perfect place to lay their eggs. Turtles are able to travel thousands of miles to make their nest year after year literally in the same place. At this beach you can swim with these prehistoric creatures, but there's a simple rule: you must keep a minimum distance of 3 meters. Don't forget that you're in their home and they shouldn't get stressed.
Boulders Beach: South Africa
Penguin are funny animals..
At the Boulders Beach, 42 km away from Cape Town in South Africa, there is a colony of African penguins that live in freedom and truly enjoy the water and rocks of this place. If you visit this beach, you'll most likely be able to watch these animal closely.
Monkey Beach: Koh Phi Phi,Thaland
This is an attractive beach by itself, and it sums up points due to is unusual animals monkeys. On this beach, lives a colony of monkeys that will entertain you with their games and yes, watch out for the food and the bright objects, they have very long arms and are very fast!
1. What will people see when they go to Pig Beach?A.They will see monkeys that will entertain you with their games. |
B.They will see wild pigs and piglets that love the beach and to swim. |
C.They will see many sea turtles who are looking for places to lay eggs. |
D.They will see African penguins that live in freedom and enjoy the water. |
A.Pig Beach:Bahamas. |
B.Akumal Beach: Mexico. |
C.Boulders Beach: South Africa. |
D.Monkey Beach: Koh PhiPhi, Thailand. |
A.When you swim at Pig Beach, you must keep a minimum distance of 3 meters with pigs. |
B.When you go to Boulders Beach, you will find many penguins that come from Antarctica. |
C.When you swim at Akumal Beach, you must keep a minimum distance of 3 meters with turtles. |
D.When you go to Monkey Beach, you will find monkeys that have short arms and move fast. |
【推荐3】Some people have a very poor sense of direction. Unluckily, I am one of them. I have visited a place many times but I may still get lost there the next time.
When I was a little girl, I never dared to ask strangers the way. And so I used to walk around in circles and hope that by chance I would get to the place I was going to.
Now, I am no longer too shy to ask people for directions, but I often receive helpless or even wrong information. So I try to avoid giving people wrong directions. If anyone ever asks me the way somewhere, I would say, “Sorry, I am a stranger here. ”
Once on my way to work I was stopped by a man. He asked me if I could tell him the way to the Friendship Building. I gave him my usual reply. But just as I walked on only a few steps, I realized that he had asked the way to my office building. However, I had no time to turn back and look for him. I was rushing to meet with someone at my office and I didn’t want to keep him waiting.
When I just got to my office, the secretary(秘书) showed in the man who had asked me for directions. Imagine how embarrassed I was and how surprised he was when we saw each other at the first sight.
1. The writer always refuses to give people directions because _________.A.she is a stranger to the city |
B.she doesn’t know the people |
C.she’s afraid of giving wrong directions |
D.she has no time to help others |
A.sell her something | B.ask her the time |
C.ask for the direction | D.make friends with her |
A.They saw each other the second time. |
B.The man was much fastyer. |
C.The writer didn’t tell the right direction to the man |
D.They hadn’t seen each other for a long time. |
A.lives | B.studies | C.works | D.teaches |
A.The writer is too shy to give others directions. |
B.The writer never got lost when she was young. |
C.The writer has a very poor sense of direction. |
D.The man was quite nervous when he saw the writer. |
【推荐1】Hybrid cars are cars that run on both petrol and electricity. They have a small standard petrol engine and a battery and electric motor to provide electric power.
There are some differences between different models of hybrid cars, but the general principle is that the car runs on petrol, and the electric motor kicks in when additional power is required, for example when going uphill or speeding up. In some hybrid cars the petrol engine turns itself off when not needed, for example when the car has stopped at traffic lights, keeping only the electric engine running.
Traditional cars have large engines to cope with driving uphill and speeding up.Most of the time, this high engine capacity is not needed, but the engine continues burning up fuel. Hybrid cars have much smaller petrol engines, powered by electric motors when needed, so they use less petrol.
Hybrid cars are also lighter and aerodynamically(空气动力学的)designed for greater fuel efficiency.
Another way that fuel consumption is cut is by a system of“regenerative braking”(刹车). The electric motor is used to slow down the car, rather than traditional brakes. The energy produced by the slowing car is transformed into electrical power, which is automatically stored in the battery. In effect, the battery recharges when you brake. In traditional cars the energy produced when braking is wasted.
Car producers and engineers have been experimenting with electric and hybrid cars since the late 19th century. In 1928 Ferdinand Porsche built an experimental hybrid car that used both an internal burning engine and electric motors.The first mass-produced hybrid car, the Toyota Prius, came out in Japan at the end of 1997.However, Hybrid cars became available in the USA only in 1999, when the Honda Insight went on sale.
As they use less fuel, hybrid cars are cheaper to run. There are also many advantages in place to encourage people to buy them. In some countries, hybrid car owners pay a lower rate of tax, and don’t have to pay on certain toll roads(收费公路). In some cities around the world, hybrid cars are allowed to park for free.
1. What can we learn from paragraph 2?A.Hybrid cars don’t need petrol any more. |
B.Petrol engine and electric motor work all the way. |
C.Hybrid cars mainly depend on electric power to run. |
D.Some hybrid car petrol engines will quit when unnecessary. |
A.Smaller petrol engines. | B.Scientific design. |
C.Traditional brakes. | D.Energy storage. |
A.Hybrid cars are cheaper to buy. |
B.Hybrid car owners don’t have to pay tax. |
C.Hybrid car owners don’t need to pay parking fee. |
D.Hybrid cars will have a bright future. |
A.To advertise hybrid cars. |
B.To introduce hybrid cars. |
C.To compare traditional cars and hybrid cars. |
D.To inform the development of hybrid cars. |
【推荐2】A Couch Potato
Forty-three-year-old Bob Black from Birmingham is sitting on his sofa and telling me about his perfect day.
When I wake up I don't get up immediately.
I turn on the television and watch the children's programmes and old movies until about half-past ten. Then I get up, go downstairs and switch on the TV in the living room. For lunch, I have biscuits and a glass of milk, and I watch the news. In the afternoon, I often watch another old film – they're showing some good ones at the moment. In the evenings, I often watch TV series or sport and the news again. I like the main news at six o'clock. At half past nine, if there is a good play on BBC 2, I switch over and watch it. Then at night, I watch more films and I usually switch off the TV at about two o'clock. I never watch TV all night.
I watch TV for sixteen or seventeen hours a day. I also do some exercise every day. I take Tina, the dog, for a walk every afternoon. I don't go far, of course. I walk to the wall outside my house. I always take my portable TV and I sit on the stone wall while the dog walks round in a circle.
Of course, I couldn't live this lifestyle without a good wife. She's not here now because she's working, but she always makes my meals. We haven't got much money, you know, but we're happy. Sit down and watch TV. Here's the remote control. You've got the world at your feet. And in your hand. Great!
1. Which of the following statements can best explain the title “a couchpotato” ?
A.Having a biscuit and a glass of milk for lunch. |
B.Doing some exercise everyday. |
C.Taking the dog for a walk every afternoon. |
D.Watching TV for sixteen or seventeen hours a day. |
A.A cellphone. | B.His portable TV. |
C.Some books. | D.Plastic bags. |
A.He loves his wife pretty much. | B.He often quarrels with his wife. |
C.He likes his lifestyle. | D.He is a pet lover. |
【推荐3】Brush turkeys are heading back into urban Sydney areas, according to an environmental expert, and there is not much people can do about it.
The Australian brush turkey has “big feet”. They damage people’s beloved backyards by raking up dirt to make large nests which can sometimes hold up to 56 eggs in one mound(土堆). This is because one male brush turkey can breed(交配繁殖) with up to six females who can lay up to 12 eggs.
The population of brush turkeys in Australia was severely reduced along the east coast in the 1960s after coming close to extinction during the Depression as they were easy to hunt for food. As a result, they become a protected species in the 1970s which made it illegal to shoot them.
“In the 1980s, they took over Brisbane, and Sydney is about 10 years behind what happened up here,” Professor Darryl Jones, deputy director of the Environmental Futures Research Institute at Griffith University, said. “Once they get into the city they work out there’s a lot of food and they have a fair bit of protection.”
While brush turkeys have cultural significance in Queensland, they can be annoying for many in Sydney. Former Central Coast resident(居民) Paul told 702 ABC Sydney that he had “an ongoing battle for years” with brush turkeys that built nests in his garden.
“We had plague proportions(瘟疫之灾) when we lived on the Central Coast. I was trying to grow food and vegetables but I had to give up,” he said. “They just completely dug them up. I was fighting a losing battle.”
But Sydney resident Joy thinks differently. “Brush turkeys are part of nature,” she said. “I’ve been able to successfully have a flower garden and a vegetable garden and have brush turkeys wander through the yard. The way I’ve done it is just to put sticks in the ground around the plants. I haven’t had any problems at all and people need to think of ways to overcome these problems rather than kill animals.”
1. What’s one characteristic of brush turkeys?A.They are afraid of humans. | B.They often build mounds to hide eggs. |
C.They usually live in coastal areas. | D.A female lays a dozen eggs each time. |
A.They were over-hunted for their meat. | B.They couldn’t find enough food. |
C.They were hated and hunted by people. | D.Their natural habitats were destroyed. |
A.a plague broke out on the Central Coast. |
B.he was sometimes attacked by brush turkeys. |
C.his garden was messed up by brush turkeys. |
D.he had no place to grow food and vegetables. |
A.They do much harm to gardeners. |
B.Their number should be controlled. |
C.Sydney is suitable for them to survive. |
D.People should live in harmony with them. |