【推荐1】Will you buy a car that can release calming smells into the air when you are stuck in heavy traffic? Will you buy a robot that smells like a human being?

Many people have see the 3-D computer-made environments of virtual (虚拟的) reality (VR). Now these virtual worlds will not just look and sound real. Researchers have created VR environments that even smell like the real things. With the new technology environment, like a rainforest. After they enter this virtual world, special equipment releases forest- like smells into the air to make the experience seem more real.

Suzanne Fisher said,“It is a really wonderful experience that you have because you are reexploring this environment and you have smells with it”.

In the United States,Smell-o-vision was designed to provide smells during the showing of a movie. The Smell-o-vision system was once popular in the 1960s. Now, Emanuela Maggioni says it is close to becoming popular again. “People will be impressed by the connection with emotions, memories, and the sense of smell,” Maggioni said “It is unbelievable what we can do with technology.”

The uses for smell technology are not just limited to films and the performing arts. Researchers showed a computer program where users could imagine themselves driving a car. The system included a special smell-spraying machine. Dmitri Murray said “ We want to deliver the smell of lavender(薰衣草) every time the person drives over the speed limit. We choose lavender because it's a very calming smell.”

Scientists are experimenting with smells instead of sounds or image-based warnings on telecommunications equipment. And businesses are already using smell to influence people's behavior .“ Not only… in stores… But on the other side, you can create and stimulate (刺激) immediate buying ,” Maggioni said. “So you're in a library and you smell coffee and actually you are unconsciously having the need to drink a coffee.”

1. Using smell technology, researchers make VR environments          .

A．have a smell of a rainforest

B．even smell like real ones

C．look like a 4-D environment

D．impress people with a virtual world

2. The example of Smell-o-vision proves that .

A．smell technology has been tried before

B．America is the first to use smell technology

C．businesses are already using smell technology

D．it is out of date to use smell-spraying devices

3. How is smell technology used by businessmen?

A．To make buyers understand salesmen better.

B．To remind people of their unrealistic buying.

C．To help customers choose their favorite goods.

D．To encourage people to buy something.

4. What is the main idea of the passage?

A．The advanced smell-spraying machines.

B．The development of smell technology.

C．A major breakthrough of smell technology.

D．The sense of smell in human communication.

【推荐1】Everyone has a phone in their pocket nowadays, but how often do we really use them for their original purpose — to make a call? Telephone culture is disappearing. What brought us to this moment, and what are its effects?

“No one picks up the phone anymore,” wrote Alex C. Madrigal on The Atlantic. “The reflex (习惯性动作) of answering — built so deeply into people who grew up in 20th-century telephonic culture — is gone.”

The shift is of course due in large part to more communication options: Texting with photos, videos, emojis, reaction Gifs, links and even voice messages can be a more attractive option.

Texting is light and fun, not nearly as demanding of your attention as a phone call. It can also be done with multiple people at the same time. Social media, email and video calls have also eaten away at traditional phone calls.

In recent years, another reason has caused people to ignore phone calls completely: robocalls. Robocalls are automated messages from organizations verifying (核实) your phone number or telemarketers trying to sell something. Americans received 22.8 billion robocalls halfway through 2020, equaling an annual rate of 45.6 billion, slightly below 2018 numbers, according to You-Mail, a robocall protection service and blocking app.

As telephone culture disappears, what is the loss of a singular family phone doing to the family unit? Early landline phones unified family members, whereas mobile phones isolate (使隔绝) them.

“The shared family phone served as an anchor (给以安全感的物品) for home,” said Luke Fernandez, a Weber State University computer-science professor and co-author of Bored, Lonely, Angry, Stupid: Feelings About Technology, From the Telegraph to Twitter. With smartphones, “we have gained mobility and privacy. But the value of the home has been diminished, as has its capacity to guide and monitor family behavior and perhaps bind families more closely together,” Femandez said.

Of course, as technology progresses, lives always change for better or for worse. With the loss of telephone culture, families will need to find other ways to unite.

1. What has caused the traditional telephone to lose its appeal according to the text?

A．People’s addiction to social media.	B．People’s preference for robocalls.
C．People’s growing need for privacy.	D．People’s wide range of communication choices.

2. What does the underlined word “diminished” in the last but one paragraph probably mean?

A．Reduced.	B．Strengthened.
C．Instructed.	D．Inherited.

3. What does Luke Fernandez point out?

A．Smartphones tie families together.

B．The use of mobile phones has affected family bonds.

C．Smartphones help people monitor family behavior.

D．The value of home depends on how phones are used.

4. What does the article mainly talk about?

A．The past and future of telephones.

B．The development of communication tools.

C．The downfall of traditional telephone culture.

D．The relation between phone use and family bonds.

【推荐2】San Francisco residents may notice something missing the next time they hail a taxi—no driver at the wheel. On June 2, 2022, Cruise, a division of General Motors (GM), was approved to charge for rides in its autonomous cars. Waymo, owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has been offering a similar service in Chandler, Arizona, since October 2020. However, Cruise is the first company allowed to operate commercial driverless cars in a major US city.

The first-of-its-kind permit comes with some restrictions. Cruise vehicles will be limited to transporting passengers in less crowded areas of the city between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The self-driving cars should not exceed a speed of 30 mph. They are also not allowed to operate in heavy rain or fog. The rules are meant to reduce any injuries or accidents.

Cruise plans to launch the service gradually with a fleet of just 30 cars. The first robotaxis will be modified (修改的) versions of GM’s Chevrolet Bolt. However, the company is seeking approval to get its custom- built Cruise Origin on public roads. The autonomous electric vehicle has no steering wheel or pedals (踏板) and can attain highway speeds. The car’s roomy interior is fitted with seats that face each other.

Cruise’s ability to obtain the commercial permit to operate is a big step forward. However, the company still has to convince passengers that its technology is safe. A 2021 survey by the American Automobile Association found that 74 percent of Americans are afraid to ride in a self-driving vehicle.

Regardless of whether the program is successful, its initiation is a significant milestone for Cruise. Waymo is still working on ensuring its self-driving vehicles are safe on busy street roads. Uber and Tesla have both announced plans to launch autonomous ride-hailing services. Neither have succeeded thus far.

1. Where is Cruise allowed to operate its autonomous ride-hailing services now?

A．In some major cities of the USA.

B．On the streets of Chandler, Arizona.

C．In some regions of San Francisco.

D．On all the highways of the country.

2. What does the author describe in detail in paragraph 3?

A．The feature of Cruise Origin.

B．The future of self-driving cars.

C．The original plan of the company.

D．The new version of Chevrolet Bolt.

3. What is the attitude of most Americans towards the self-driving taxis?

A．Supportive.	B．Objective.
C．Indifferent.	D．Skeptical.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．Self-Driving Cars Are Coming to San Francisco

B．Self-driving Vehicles Are Popular in the Major Cities

C．Cruise Offers Free Autonomous Ride-hailing Services

D．More Companies Charge for Rides in Self-driving Cars D

【推荐3】Weather reports often mention high or low pressure systems headed toward a city or town. If you’re in the path of one of these systems, expect a change in weather conditions. High and low pressure systems operate using similar principles, but the effects they produce differ significantly.

View a weather map, and you may see distinct regions that represent different air masses. An air mass is a region of air that has about the same humidity(湿度)and temperature throughout. When an air mass remains over a location for a while, it decides the characteristics of the region. Air masses can be cold or warm and they may contain wet or dry air. All air masses have the ability to move away from their source region into other locations.

Meteorologists(气象学家)call the boundary between two air masses a front. A cold front’s motion through a warm front is a low-pressure system. If a cold air mass replaces a warm air mass, you have a cold front. Air in the cold air mass is often drier than air in front of it. As the air masses meet, the wind u- sually changes direction and rain or thunderstorms often occur.

A warm front is associated with a high-pressure system and occurs when a warm air mass replaces a colder air mass. A high-pressure system often brings clear, calm weather. Warm fronts travel slowly and are weaker than cold fronts.

Cold fronts move faster than warm fronts because a cold front contains denser air. Cold fronts also of- ten travel from west to east while warm fronts move from north to south. As a warm front approaches, temperatures may rise as warmer air flows in from a warm air mass. However, when the cold front hits, temperatures can drop precipitously within a short time.

1. How is the temperature of a region under a certain air mass?

A．Unusual.

B．Stable.

C．Diverse.

D．Changeable.

2. What happens when two air masses meet?

A．A clear sky appears.

B．A heavy snow is formed.

C．The air becomes drier.

D．The wind changes directions.

3. What does the underlined word “precipitously” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Sharply.

B．Slowly.

C．Hardly.

D．Smoothly.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．The Formation of Air Masses

B．The New Findings of Meteorologists

C．The Effects of Air Mass and Fronts on Weather

D．The Methods for Accurate Weather Forecasts

【推荐1】It was late, about 10:15 p. m. Esposito got off the train at Bellport, New York, went to her car and started driving home. She was so familiar with the route that she almost drove automatically: turned left to the Station Road, then another left onto Montauk Highway, and then-bam! When Esposito's car had just crossed the railroad tracks, it hit another vehicle and was plashed back onto the tracks. Injured but mostly shocked by the crash and by the airbags that popped up, she was stuck in the vehicle.

As it happened, Pete DiPinto was just about to go to sleep when he heard a sharp noise and saw the accident not far outside his bedroom window. As a volunteer firefighter and retired teacher, DiPinto, who was 65, fetched a flash light and rushed out without hesitation. "Any firefighter would have done what I did," he said, "We're always on duty. "

At first, he spotted the other car in the accident. After making sure that the driver was all right. DiPinto looked around and discovered Esposito's car straddling(横跨)the railway tracks. And then he heard the bell ring, which signaled a train's arrival.

DiPinto rushed to Esposito's car and broke the window on the driver's side. Esposito looked up at him, with her eyes glazing over. "I don't know where I am,” she said.

"You're on the railroad tracks," DiPinto yelled. "I have to get you off right now!" The train was running toward them at a speed of some 105 kilometers per hour. The driver's door cannot be opened due to the collision, so DiPinto quickly ran to the other side and managed to open the door. He put the airbags aside, seized her arms, pulled her toward him across the passenger seat until finally got her out and walked her to safety as swiftly as possible. Several seconds later, the train crashed into the vehicle. "It was like a Hollywood movie, " DiPinto told reporters the next day.

"Last night," said Gregory, Chief of the Department in South Country Ambulance, "the hero arrived in pajamas (睡衣)，not in a fire truck."

1. What was the reason for the accident?

A．Esposito didn't know the route well.

B．Esposito's car hit another vehicle.

C．Esposito drove out of the highway.

D．A running train crashed into Esposito's car.

2. How was Esposito in the accident?

A．She got stuck and couldn't move out.

B．She lost awareness completely.

C．She was lucky to escape from the train.

D．She helped rescue the driver in another car.

3. How was Esposito rescued from her car?

A．Through the roof of the car.

B．Through the passenger's door in the back.

C．Through the window on the driver's side.

D．Through the door on the passenger's side.

4. What did Gregory mean by "the hero arrived in pajamas, not in a fire truck"?

A．DiPinto was not a professional firefighter.

B．DiPinto rushed to save life without thinking about himself.

C．DiPinto was a special firefighter who liked wearing pajamas.

D．DiPinto was unable to find a fire truck in his house.

【推荐2】THE 2019 NATIONAL BALLOON CLASSIC: July 26^th - August 3^rd

FOR 9 DAYS EVERY SUMMER, IOWA SKIES COME ALIVE as nearly 100 hot air balloons paint the town with brilliant colors and charming special shapes. Don’t miss a moment of the excitement as skilled pilots compete for points and prizes every morning and every evening. Great family fun and unbelievable entertainment value await you at the Memorial Balloon Field. Just sit back and enjoy the beautiful countryside as you listen to live music during the evening balloon flights. Grab a bite to eat, take the children to Kids Land, buy a balloon ride for a one-of-a-kind view, and prepare to be amazed as dark skies come alive with a mystical light during Dawn Patrols and Nite Glows.

1. When could people attend the National Balloon Classic in 2019?

A．July 3rd.	B．July 25th.
C．August 1st	D．August 26th.

2. What can people do on the National Balloon Classic?

A．Buy a balloon.

B．Take a balloon ride.

C．Paint balloons with colors.

D．Compete in a balloon flight.

3. What can we learn about the admission?

A．Children are free of charge for entry.

B．People can only pay cash for admission.

C．People should print online tickets before entry.

D．People can call 815-777-2747 for further information.

【推荐3】Astronauts in America who fly into space need special training. First they go to Huston, Texas. That is the home of the Johnson Space Center. There they are tested to see how strong and smart they are.

The first test is for the heart. The people walk or run, and then the space doctors see how fast their hearts beat.

Another important test is performance. In this test, the person must curl (蜷曲) his body up in a ball. When he is in that position (姿势), he is put into a round cloth bag. The doctors give him no idea how long he will have to stay in the bag. If a spaceship broke down in space, the astronauts would get into bags like this. Then they would have to wait and curl up in darkness until help could arrive. You can see that an astronaut must not be afraid of tight space or darkness.

After the tests, only the best people are chosen to start astronaut training in a training center. The astronauts in training learn many other things. They learn how to jump out of a moving airplane. They learn to blow up a lifeboat and get into it while they are in the ocean. The astronauts also have to learn how to get lifted out of the ocean by helicopter . That seems fun, but it can be dangerous.

After they finish training, the astronauts continue to work. They stay in good shape by running and doing exercise. They read about their special jobs. In this way, they can learn new facts about space travel. Then the big day comes. The astronauts are told to go to work on a flight into space.

1. The astronauts don’t know how long they will stay in the bags in the test because_______.

A．the doctors need to know how strong they are

B．the astronauts need to know how smart they are

C．good astronauts mustn’t be afraid of darkness or tight space

D．nobody knows when help will come if the spaceship breaks down

2. The astronauts don’t learn how to _______ in the training center.

A．walk or run in space	B．jump out of a moving plane
C．blow up a lifeboat	D．get lifted out of water by helicopter

3. When is the big day for the astronauts?

A．After the tests, the best people are chosen to start astronaut training in a training center.

B．After they finish training, the astronauts continue to work.

C．When the astronauts are told to go to work on a flight into space.

D．After they are tested to see how strong and smart they are.

【推荐1】A new study, a project of the researchers from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, finds that a fitness tracker (健康追踪器) probably does not help with weight loss.

The trackers are designed to record your physical activity. They are usually worn around the wrist (手腕),   where they record a person's heart rate. The research team looked at two groups of people. The first wore a fitness tracker and took part in health consultation with experts for best weight loss plan. The researchers compared this group with people who only got health consultation.

The study found that those only speaking with the health experts lost nearly 6 kilograms, but those using a fitness tracker lost only 3.5 kilograms. John Jakicic the lead researcher, questioned the use of these trackers for weight loss.

The study involved 470 people age between 18 and 35. Some of them were overweight, while others were considered obese. Over three fourths of them were women. All were told to increase physical activity and start on a low-calorie diet. They had their weight measured once every six months. After six months, researchers divided the group into two parts: one continued with monthly consulting, while members of the other group were given a fitness tracker. Eighteen months later, both groups showed great improvements in fitness, physical activity and diet, with no big difference between groups. However, when it came to losing weight, the people who only spoke with experts lost nearly twice as much weight.

Jakicic said, “The study's findings are important because effective long-term treatments are needed to deal with America's obesity.”More information is needed, he added, to learn how to best use these trackers to help adults who want to lose weight.

1. Both groups of people in the study were asked to           .

A．start on a high-calorie diet.	B．wear a fitness tracker
C．consult experts	D．record their heart rates

2. Why does Jakicic think the findings are important?

A．Wearing fitness trackers hardly helps people lose weight.

B．Physical activity and diet have no effect on weight loss.

C．Dealing with obesity needs effective long-term treatments.

D．There are great differences in health between both groups.

3. What can we infer about the study mentioned in the text?

A．The study went on for about two years.

B．More than 120 men took part in the study.

C．Health consulting helps lose almost 6 kilograms.

D．Wearing a fitness tracker is useful for keeping slim.

4. The purpose of the text is to           .

A．describe how the researchers carried out the study

B．show regular consulting for weight control is necessary

C．persuade readers to wear fitness trackers for weight control

D．warn women are more likely to suffer from weight problems

【推荐2】As a leading Chinese language school and a cultural exchange Institute in China, Global Exchange Education Center has been providing Mandarin language courses and cultural exchange programs for a decade.

How to apply for our programs

■ In order to apply for all of our programs, you must be

at least 18 years old.

in good health.

a senior high school graduate.

■ Application Procedure for Chinese Language Programs

Step 1. Send us a completed application form by email or fax.

Step 2. Send us $ 60 application fee after receiving our email confirmation.

Step 3. Arrange the payment transfer.

Step 4. Plan the trip to Beijing.

■Application Procedure for Chinese Business Internship (实习) Program

Step 1. Send us a completed application form with your CV and personal statement for the program by email or fax.

Step 2. Send us $ 310，including $ 60 application fee and $ 250 internship placement deposit, after receiving our letter of acceptance for the program.

Step 3. Arrange final payment transfer after receiving our second confirmation.

Step 4. Plan the trip to Beijing.

■ Personal Statement for applicants for Chinese Business Internship Program

You should state why you want to take this program and what your expectations of the program are. How you will make use of this program in your future career.

■Application Deadlines

The applications for most programs are reviewed on a rolling basis. You are encouraged to submit your application ahead of the application deadlines.

■Confirmation

Having received your application. Global Exchange Education Center usually sends out an email confirmation for the booking within 2-5 working days. Please click here for more information.

1. The text is probably written for ________.

A．junior high graduates	B．language trainers
C．job seekers	D．international students

2. If you apply for both of the programs, the total application fees will be ________.

A．$310	B．$120
C．$250	D．$370

3. Where can you possibly read this passage?

A．poster	B．internet
C．brochure	D．news report

【推荐3】For the first time, a British group, PDSA, gave its Gold Medal to a rat named Magawa for its work searching out unexploded landmines （地雷）in Cambodia.

Magawa was born in Tanzania, but is now based in the Cambodian city of Siem Reap. He has discovered 39 landmines and 28 pieces of unexploded ones, and helped clear more than 1.5 million square feet of land over the past four years.

Over 5 million landmines have been laid in Cambodia during the civil war in the 1980s and 1990s. In Cambodia, over 19,000 people have been killed by landmines. Another 51,000 have been injured.

Magawa is part of the “Hero Rat" project, which works across South East Asia and Africa, training rats to save lives by detecting landmines. Magawa started its training at the age of 10 weeks.

He was trained to detect TNT, the chemical compound within explosives（炸药）.The ability to sniff （嗅） out TNT makes him much faster than any person in searching for land mines.

According to Christophe Cox, co — founder and CEO of APPO, a charity that trains the rats, the creatures can screen an area of 200 square meters in half an hour. "We really trust our rats. Very often after clearing a minefield, our teams will play a game of soccer on the cleared field to assure the quality of our work. So far our trainers have never had any accidents with rats because their size and weight permits them to walk across mine fields. They also work much faster than people.

Described as friendly and hardworking by Malen, a Belgian trainer, Magawa has a work-life balance that is likely the envy of many a human. When he is not in the minefield, the 2-foot-long rat likes snacking on bananas, peanuts and watermelons, and taking a spin on the running wheel.

1. What is the purpose of the “Hero Rat" project?

A．To show honour to the brave rats.

B．To save lives by detecting landmines.

C．To analyze the chemicals in the landmines.

D．To help people get rid of poverty in Africa.

2. Why is playing soccer on the cleared field mentioned in Paragraph 6?

A．To show their trust in their rats.

B．To show their life after work.

C．To introduce a hobby of his group.

D．To find a way to celebrate success.

3. What can we infer about Magawa?

A．He is trained at a Belgium training base.

B．He takes no risk of setting off landmines.

C．He often searches for food when he is at work.

D．He brings attention to the problem of landmines.

4. What is the main idea of the passage?

A．Sufferings caused by landmines.	B．Hero Rat project set up to train rats.
C．A rat awarded for life-saving work.	D．Good ways to deal with landmines.