【推荐1】The poaching, or illegal killing, of rhinos (犀牛) in South Africa is growing worse each year. The government recently reported that a record number of rhinos were poached in 2014, a year which had more rhino killings in South Africa than ever before.

The World Wildlife Fund, or WWF, says about 20,000 rhinos live in South Africa. That is more than 80 percent of the rhinos in the world. Edna Molewa, South African’s environmental issues minister, says, “During 2014, we are sad to say this, 1,215 rhinos were killed. This is a rise in the number of poached rhinos from 1004 in 2013 and indeed very worrying.”

The animals are hunted for their horns(犀牛角). Many people in Asia believe the horn has curing power, which drives poachers, at all costs, mad for more horns to make huge profits. But there is no scientific evidence for this belief. The horn is made of keratin. That is the same thing as human hair, fingernails and toenails. Ms. Molewa said 386 suspected poachers were arrested last year, an increase from the year before. But rhino protection workers say poachers often go unpunished after arrest. South Africa’s legal system is ineffective.

Ms. Molewa said more needs to be done and South Africa is taking strong measures to protect rhinos. The efforts include moving some of the animals to secret places in neighbouring countries.

Jo Shaw, the rhino programme manager at the WWF, said, “We’re talking about a loss of a hundred rhinos a month, or more than three a day. We really need to see effective action not just at a national level but internationally.” She says officials should find the criminal groups responsible for the poaching and punish them. Government officials are to meet in Botswana in March at the Intergovernmental Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade.

1. What do we know about rhinos?

A．Half of the rhinos live in South Africa.

B．Less than 1,000 rhinos were killed in 2013.

C．There are only 20,000 rhinos left in the world.

D．The killing reached the highest point in 2014.

2. What is the main reason for people to hunt rhinos?

A．To get more keratin.	B．To make money from horns.
C．To protect the farmland.	D．To use them for decoration.

3. Jo Shaw thinks that ________.

A．many criminal groups are well organized

B．new laws are needed to punish the killers

C．rhino protection needs international cooperation

D．conferences about protecting rhinos are to be held every year

4. What can we infer from the text?

A．Rhino protection has a long way to go.

B．No one would like to buy horns in the future.

C．The illegal killing of rhinos will soon disappear.

D．Rhinos living in South Africa will move to other countries.

【推荐3】Zhonglin Wang started playing table tennis only four years ago. But last year, he and other researchers came up with a clever way to improve their game: Build a smart table.

Now they’ve just introduced a prototype to the public. It can measure where a ball lands, how fast the ball’s going and where it’s headed. The table can do that because its innovative wood surface forms the top layer of a novel self-powered sensor. The data it acquires could help players to perform better, says Wang.

Wang is a materials scientist at the Georgia Institute of Technology, in Atlanta. He describes the invention as a machine that can learn to analyze how someone plays. Importantly, the new smart table doesn’t need a battery to detect the ball. When a ball hits the wood, it sets off a chain of events that can both generate a small electric current and record the ball’s behavior.

Wang is an expert at inventing devices that provide their own power. In 2012, he invented a triboelectric(摩擦生电的) nano-generator. He calls it TENG, for short. Even if you’ve never heard of “triboelectricity”, you know the phenomenon. Most of us call it static electricity. The first TENG that Wang put together in 2012 looked like a sandwich. It had layers of charged materials separated by a small gap. When the sandwich bent or changed shape, its layered materials rubbed against each other. This caused electrons to start building up on one side.

What makes the new game table truly unique is its use of wood as one of the TENG’s layers. As it turns out, Wang explains, “Wood is an excellent triboelectric material.” Building a full-size game table would require a large grid of wood TENGs. Wang says that’s on his drawing board as a project for the future.

1. Why is the new table unusual?

A．It can measure the speed of the ball.	B．It uses wood as a TENG’s layer.
C．It can help players perform better.	D．It uses a new steel table surface.

2. Which of the following can probably replace the underlined “detect” in Paragraph 3?

A．Stop.

B．Start.

C．Observe.

D．Release.

3. What can we know about TENG?

A．It was invented last year.	B．It is a scientific phenomenon.
C．It functions like a sandwich.	D．It’s a device generating power.

4. What can be a best title for the text?

A．A Unique Smart Game Table	B．A Table Tennis Lover
C．Ways to Win a Table Tennis Game	D．New Rules for Table Tennis Games

【推荐1】I am an e-mail user. When I first started to use the e-mail system, I used to read all my e-mail. I didn't have much mail. I gave my friends my e-mail address. Soon I had more mail than wanted. Some of the mail was junk mail. I was worried. I didn't want my mail to control me.

I've tried some methods to help me get control of my mail. First, I check my mail at the same time every day. Also, I try to allow myself only 15~20 minutes every day to process my email. This doesn't always work, but I try. Sometimes I save the messages. Sometimes I read them, maybe answer a few, and then delete them.

Sometimes I get some junk mail that I'm not interested in at all, I don't even open it. I usually delete it right away. This is very much the way I go through the mail that the postal service delivers to my home.

These methods are very simple. I have some friends who are very clever with computers. From time to time, they teach me new tricks for managing my e-mail. I'm still amazed at what email can do for me! I'm still worried, however, about having too much to read.

1. Why did the author use to read all his e mails?

A．He was forced to do that.	B．He didn't have much mail.
C．He had nothing else to do.	D．He didn't know how to read mail.

2. How does the author deal with junk mail?

A．Saving it sometimes.	B．Deleting it immediately.
C．Reading and answering it.	D．Passing it on to his friends.

3. How did the author learn to manage his e-mail?

A．By the help of his friends.	B．By the methods from mail.
C．By checking messages.	D．By controlling computers.

4. Which one is the author most focused on?

A．Worries about using mail.	B．The happiness of using mail.
C．Methods of dealing with mail.	D．Persuasions to avoid using mail.

【推荐2】Everyone loves travelling, right? Unfortunately, money can sometimes be a problem but not if you’re prepared. Here are my top tips for making the most of your travel experience, no matter how much you have in the bank!

Tip 1: Decide where you’ll go, based on your budget.

Knowing the average costs in a country can help you make the best decision. For example, countries like France, Italy, the UK and the USA can be pretty expensive to visit. On the contrary, Eastern Europe, South-East Asia and South America are cheaper and they still offer great cultural experiences and rich histories.

Tip 2: Choose relatively cheap accommodation.

Yes, everyone loves staying at a five-star hotel. But sadly, in a lot of places, this is just not realistic for those on a budget. In general, hostels (招待所) are a sure way to meet those travelers’ needs and this creates a great atmosphere. Camping is also a great choice for budget accommodation.

Tip 3: Don’t always rely on restaurants.

Eating meals in a restaurant can be very expensive, so you can easily save by cooking your own breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many cities have markets where you can buy fresh food and vegetables on the cheap.

Tip 4: Look for discounts on major attractions.

Obviously when you’re travelling you want to see everything the country has to offer, including the attractions which bring millions of people. But before paying a fee to see these, you can visit related websites to see if it’s possible to see them for less. Many tourist attractions have a student or youth discount and some attractions are free for everyone on certain days. By the way, do remember try to get there as early as possible, for they are possibly very crowded.

1. If you travel for a low budget, which place should you choose?

A．The USA.

B．France.

C．England.

D．Thailand.

2. What accommodation is generally a sure way for those on a budget?

A．Five-star hotel.

B．Hostel.

C．Camping.

D．Student dormitory.

3. To see the major attractions economically, what should you do?

A．Look for discounts and get there as early as possible.

B．Get to the attractions when there are less visitors.

C．Try to get the free tickets as possible as you can.

D．Visit the websites and try to get tickets online.

【推荐3】For Western designers, China and its rich culture have long been an inspiration for Western creative.

“It’s no secret that China has always been a source(来源) of inspiration for designers,” says Amanda Hill, chief creative officer at A+E Networks, a global media company and home to some of the biggest fashion(时尚) shows.

Earlier this year, the China Through A Looking Glass exhibition in New York exhibited 140 pieces of China-inspired fashionable clothing alongside Chinese works of art, with the aim of exploring the influence of Chinese aesthetics(美学) on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries. The exhibition had record attendance, showing that there is huge interest in Chinese influences.

“China is impossible to overlook,” says Hill. “Chinese models are the faces of beauty and fashion campaigns that sell dreams to women all over the world, which means Chinese women are not just consumers of fashion — they are central to its movement.” Of course, not only are today’s top Western designers being influenced by China—some of the best designers of contemporary fashion are themselves Chinese. “Vera Wang, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu are taking on Galliano, Albaz, Marc Jacobs—and beating them hands down in design and sales,” adds Hill.

For Hill, it is impossible not to talk about China as the leading player when discussing fashion. “The most famous designers are Chinese, so are the models, and so are the consumers,” she says. “China is no longer just another market; in many senses it has become the market. If you talk about fashion today, you are talking about China—its influences, its direction, its breathtaking clothes, and how young designers and models are finally acknowledging that in many ways.”

1. What can we learn about the exhibition in New York?

A．It promoted the sales of artworks.	B．It attracted a large number of visitors.
C．It showed ancient Chinese clothes.	D．It aimed to introduce Chinese models.

2. What does Hill say about Chinese women?

A．They are setting the fashion.	B．They start many fashion campaigns.
C．They admire super models.	D．They do business all over the world.

3. What do the underlined words “taking on” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．learning from

B．looking down on

C．working with

D．competing against

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Young Models Selling Dreams to the World

B．A Chinese Art Exhibition Held in New York

C．Differences Between Eastern and Western Aesthetics

D．Chinese Culture Fueling International Fashion Trends

【推荐1】Have you ever sat down in a restaurant and felt instantly drawn to a particular dish on the menu? The reason might be something as simple as that you love the dish's main ingredient, but it's often more than that.

Scientists are finding that the way food is presented can make a big difference. In one study, for example, party guests were given a glass of a drink called mango lassi. Half the guests were told the lassi was healthy. The rest were told it was unhealthy. Those who had the “healthy” drink considered it 55% less enjoyable than those who drank the “unhealthy” one, though the drinks were exactly the same.

People's choices around what to eat are influenced by lots of small factors unconsciously. But we can make those choices more conscious by arming ourselves with information.

Agriculture accounts for about 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions (排放) warming the planet. But not all foods have equal influences. Globally, the production of animal-based foods accounts for about two-thirds of agricultural emissions, while plant-based foods generally have lower environmental influences.

Increasing the share of plant-based foods in our diets is therefore a key step in reducing agriculture's pressure on climate. That doesn't mean giving up meat, though. We can eat less animal-based food and more plants.

By examining how food decisions are made, scientists have learned that simple pushes can change people's behavior in big ways. Restaurants, hotels, universities, and even cities have begun applying the latest behavioral science to help consumers cut their carbon footprint by choosing more sustainable (可持续的) foods. Burger King began a trial of the plant-based Impossible Burger. At Seattle Pacific University, campus food service provider Sodexo doubled the size of its plant-rich food station.

1. Accordign to scientists, people tend to choose some food or drink mainly because _______.

A．it’s good for their health	B．it’s good for the environment
C．they are attracted by its color	D．they like its ingredient and how it’s presented

2. What can we infer about animal-based foods?

A．They are harmful to the environment.

B．They are the main reason for climate change.

C．They provide more nutrients than plant-based foods.

D．They are less consumed compared to plant-based foods.

3. What does the author suggest people do?

A．Pay attention to how food is cooked.

B．Choose healthy foods to live a longer life.

C．Consider climate change when deciding what to eat.

D．Give up meat to reduce pressure on the environment.

4. What does the last paragraph focus on?

A．Burger King's new plant-based burgers.

B．Scientists' new findings on people's food decisions.

C．How consumers' food decisions are influenced by small factors.

D．The society's efforts to help people make eco-friendly food decisions.

【推荐2】Brownie and Spotty were neighbor dogs who met every day to play together. Like pairs of dogs you can find in any neighborhood, these two loved each other and played together so often that they had worn a path through the grass of the field between their houses.

One evening, Brownie’s family noticed that Brownie hadn’t returned home. They went looking for him with no success. Brownie didn’t show up the next day, and although they made their efforts to find him, by the next week he was still missing.

Curiously, Spotty showed up at Brownie’s house alone, barking and jumping. Busy with their own lives, they paid no attention to the nervous little neighbor dog.

Finally, one morning Spotty refused to take “no” for an answer. Ted, Brownie’s owner, was continuously disturbed by the angry, determined little dog. Spotty followed Ted around, barking all the time, then darting toward a nearby empty lot (an area of land) and back, as if to say, “Follow me! It’s urgent (紧急的)!”

Eventually, Ted followed Spotty across the empty lot as Spotty stopped to race back and barked encouragingly. The little dog led the man to a deserted spot. There Ted found his beloved Brownie alive, one of his legs stuck in a steel trap. Frightened, Ted now wished he had followed Spotty earlier.

Then Ted noticed something. Spotty had done something else besides leading Brownie’s human owner to his trapped friend. In a circle around the injured dog, Ted found some food remains of every meal. Brownie had been fed that week! Spotty had been visiting Brownie regularly, in the hope of keeping his friend alive. Spotty had actually stayed with Brownie to protect him from hunger and other dangers, and keep his spirits up.

Brownie’s leg was carefully treated and he soon got well again. For many years thereafter the two families watched the faithful friends running after each other down that well-worn path between their houses.

1. At the very beginning, Brownie’s family paid little attention to Spotty because __________.

A．they were not free at the moment	B．they were sure Brownie would be OK
C．they didn’t like Spotty	D．their missing dog made them sad

2. After Ted was brought where Brownie was trapped, he __________.

A．managed to free his dog at once	B．was very thankful to Spotty
C．regretted not following Spotty earlier	D．was angry with the trap-maker

3. We can infer from the passage that __________.

A．it was Spotty’s timely help that saved Brownie

B．it’s not right to hunt animals in any neighborhood

C．Ted has to take better care of his beloved dog later on

D．humans and animals depend on each other for comfort

【推荐3】A Professor in music and music education at the University of NSW. Robert Walker, argues that all students should study the works of Western classical composers such as Haydn and Tchaikovsky.

Professor Walker says students are missing out on an important part of the culture heritage because they fail to study classical music, as the little music that children learn at school is mainly pop. The lack of music teaching is serious, especially in government schools where there are not enough specialist(专业的)music teachers.

A national review in 2005 made 15 suggestions, but Professor Walker said it still failed to deal with the lack of classical music taught in schools." I'm not against pop music, but it's very simple, and not difficult either to play or to sing,” Professor Walker says. "But classical music is challenging and although it is part of Australia's culture heritage, most children learn it only through Hollywood films."

"At least children ought to know what's happening in Western culture. It’s part of culture heritage," he says. "Asian students know more about Western classical music than most children in the west."

Professor Walker has taught music and music teachers in Britain, Canada and Australia and is a former chief (首席的) examiner for the International Baccalaureate and a former chairman of the research committee of the International Society for Music Education. Professor Walker says noschool curriculum(课程) in Australia lists a piece of music that children should study, such as the Mendelssohn's.

"This lack of standard texts means that some children can be brought up totally on Western classical music, others on Elvis Presley, or on any music the teacher wants to teach. The situation should be changed as soon as possible," he says.

1. What's the problem in music education in Professor Walker's opinion?

A．Children know nothing about their culture heritage.

B．Classical music education isn't valued in schools.

C．Pop music is simple and not difficult to play and sing.

D．Australia schools need more specialist music teachers.

2. According to the passage, students should study classical music because it is________.

A．part of culture heritage

B．good for their growing up

C．difficult to play and sing

D．popular only in Asia

3. Which of the following statements is NOT true about Professor Walker?

A．He worries about the music education in schools.

B．He thinks pop music teaching shouldn't be allowed.

C．He is well known in Western classical music teaching.

D．He has worked in Britain, Canada and Australia.

4. From the last paragraph, we can learn that________.

A．Music teachers should teach anything that they like.

B．Most Children today are brought up by their music teachers.

C．Children's music education today depends on their teacher's taste.

D．Music teachers shouldn't teach the music of Elvis Presley at all.

【推荐2】Stephen Hawking, the most famous physicist of his time, has passed away at the age of 76.

A family spokesman said Hawking, who was British, died peacefully early Wednesday at his home in Cambridge, England. Hawking was known worldwide for working to explain subjects like the beginnings of the universe and the complexities of black holes. He was diagnosed with a disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, at age 21. At the time, doctors predicted he would only live a few years. But he proved them wrong by surviving for more than 50 years more and continuing his scientific work.

In his 2013 book, ''My Brief History'', Hawking wrote about first learning of the illness: ''I felt it was very unfair - why should this happen to me? '' He added: ''At the time, I thought my life was over and that I would never realize the potential I felt I had. '' ''But now, 50 years later, I can be quite satisfied with my life, '' he wrote.

A sign of his being admired came in October 2017, when Cambridge put Hawking's 1966 thesis on the internet for the first time. Demand for the thesis was so high that it caused the university's website to go down.

Hawking said belief in a God who intervenes(介入) in the universe ''to make sure the good guys win or get rewarded in the next life'' was wishful thinking. ''But one can't help asking the question: Why does the universe exist? '' he said in 1991. ''I don't know an operational way to give the question or the answer, if there is one, a meaning. But it bothers me. ''

Hawking was a big supporter of human space travel to the Moon and Mars. He said such missions would help unite humanity in a shared purpose of spreading the human race beyond Earth. ''We are running out of space and the only places to go to are other worlds. It is time to explore other solar systems. Spreading out may be the only thing that saves us from ourselves. I am convinced that humans need to leave the Earth, '' he said last year.

1. What is Hawking's attitude towards life when just diagnosed with ALS?

A．Optimistic.	B．Hopeless.
C．Disappointed.	D．Confident.

2. What bothered Hawking?

A．The beginning of the universe.

B．The intervene of God in the universe.

C．The rewards that good people get in the next life.

D．The crash of the Internet.

3. Why is Hawking in favor of human space travel to other solar systems?

A．Because we have used up all the space.

B．Because we have explored the Moon and Mars for a long time.

C．Because it can help spread the human race beyond Earth.

D．Because it is a way to save the Earth.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Stephen Hawking Is Recognized for His Research on Black Holes

B．Stephen Hawking Supports Human Space Travels

C．Stephen Hawking Is a Worldwide Famous Physicist

D．Famous Physicist Stephen Hawking Died at 76