【推荐1】Passage 1
The Information Highway is the road that links computer users to a large number of on-line services: the Web, e-mail, and software, to mention just a few. Not long ago, the information Highway was a new road, with not many users. Now, everyone seems to want to take a drive, with over 30 million families connected worldwide. Not surprisingly, this well-traveled highway is starting to look like a well-traveled highway. Traffic jams can cause many serious problems, forcing the system to close down for repair. Naturally, accidents will happen on such a crowded road, and usually victims are some files, gone forever. Then, of course, there’s Mr. Cool, with his new broad-band connection, who speeds down the highway faster than most of us can go. But don’t trick yourself; he pays for that speeding.
Passage 2
Want to know more about global warming and how you can help prevent it? Doctor Herman Friedman, who is considered a leading expert on the subject, will speak at Grayson Hall next Friday. Friedman studied environmental science at three well-known universities around the world before becoming a professor in the subject. He has also traveled around the world observing environmental concerns. The gradual bleaching (变白) of the Grate Barrier Reef, which came into the public eye in 2002, is his latest interest. Signed copies of his colorful book, which was published just last month, will be on sale after his talk.
1. The Information Highway _________.

A．appeals to a large number of users

B．is crowded with car drivers

C．offers just a few on-line services

D．is free from traffic accidents

2. How does Mr. Cool manage to travel the Information Highway so fast?

A．By storing fewer files.

B．By repairing the system.

C．By buying a better computer.

D．By using a broad-band connection.

3. What can be learned from Passage 2?

A．There will be a book show at Grayson Hall.

B．Friedman is now studying the Great Barrier Reef.

C．There will be a talk on global warming this week.

D．Friedman is a leading expert on computer science.

4. Passage 2 is most probably     .

A．a poster about a lecture

B．an ad for a new book

C．a note to a doctor in a university

D．an introduction to a professor

【推荐2】China will continue to improve its policies and beef up support to speed up commercial use of the 5G network, an official with the country’s top industry regulator said on Tuesday.

Wen Ku, a spokesman for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said the ministry will continue to support the development of the super-fast fifth-generation wireless technology by telecom carriers and encourage local authorities to come up with more support policies.

Chen Zhaoxiong, vice-minister of Industry and Technology, said that the development of the 5G network could give rise to massive opportunities in industrial growth and job creation. The ministry will make continuous efforts to promote the use of 1000Mb broadband connections and expand the coverage of fiber-optical broadband services, he said. Meanwhile, the ministry will upgrade telecom networks and operation systems by the end of November to ensure that mobile phone users nationwide can switch service carriers without changing phone numbers, he said. He explained that it could require substantial (大量的) efforts as it involved the upgrading of operation systems of a total of 1.6 billion users in the country.

In the meantime, a “floor-price” will be set for low-income and elderly populations to further promote mobile networks, he said. In order to better protect the rights of consumers, the number of service packages offered by the telecom carriers will be trimmed(削减)by more than 15 percent this year, according to Wen. Carriers are also required to make public all their service packages and make them all available for the users, he added. “We will step up investigations on wrongdoings so that consumers can see their telecom bill plain and clear,” he said.

China has expanded the download speed of mobile broadband sixfold compared with five years ago, while the charges for broadband connections and mobile Internet were down by 90 percent, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

China’s digital economy reached a total volume of 31 trillion yuan ($4.5 trillion), or 34.8 percent of its GDP, in 2018, according to the ministry.

1. Which of the following best explains “beef up” underlined in Paragraph 1?

A．Obtain.

B．Focus.

C．Attract.

D．Strengthen.

2. According to Paragraph 4, Chen Zhaoxiong’s attitude towards the 5G network is ______.

A．uncaring

B．doubtful

C．positive

D．negative

3. What can you know about the 5G network from the text?

A．Its development could bring more chances in job creation.

B．Its charges are higher than former networks.

C．It is already widely used in commerce.

D．Its download speed is sixfold faster than former networks.

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

A．The Advantages of 5G Network

B．Efforts Made for 5G Network

C．Concerns for 5G Network

D．The Rapid Development of 5G Network

【推荐3】One of the biggest ideas in computer technology is cloud computing. The system is changing the way information is kept. It uses a group of computers or servers to store information instead of one. The data floats around like clouds instead of being saved on any computer. It means computers can be smaller than ever and store practically unlimited amounts of information. No longer are bulky computers needed because all the information is in the clouds.

So when will cloud computing start affecting the way you use computers? You may not have noticed, but it already has. Facebook, Amazon, Twitter and many other sites all run on cloud computing. Cloud computing is really useful. You can use it to access the same file at work at home or in other countries on different computers. There may even be environmental benefits, too. Gmail, which uses cloud computing, says that the system saves a lot of energy.

However, potential problems do exist such as losing information and not being able to access certain files when the internet is down. Also, some companies charge fees for their cloud computing services. Another major problem is security. If all your Information is out there in the cloud and not safely stored on your own computer or laptop, it may be possible for other people to access it. More and more of our personal information is in danger of being stolen. Therefore, it is important to be careful and to find ways of making the information secure.

More and more companies are starting up and offering cloud computing. Will the company be reliable? What will happen to your data if the company goes out of business? There are real worries. Even so, for those interested in computing technology, one thing is for certain ---the future in the clouds is going to be very exciting.

1. How does the author describe the data?

A．It needs only a single server.

B．It is a cloud floating around computers.

C．It makes computers become smaller.

D．It improves the computer’s function.

2. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Cloud computing will come into use soon.

B．Files will be entered when the Internet is down.

C．Personal information may be lost if not kept properly.

D．Companies will enjoy free cloud computing services.

3. What’s the author’s attitude towards cloud computing?

A．Worried.	B．Positive.
C．Unclear.	D．Cautious.

4. The purpose of the passage is                .

A．to introduce cloud computing to us

B．to talk about the way computers change

C．to warn us to be careful to use computers

D．to tell us how to access information on other computers

【推荐1】The success of The Pickwick Papers made Dickens very popular. He suddenly found himself at twenty-four the most famous novelist of his day. Busy as his social life was, he worked on two novels at the same time—Oliver Twist and The Pickwick Papers. He was particularly proud of The Pickwick Papers, which was a huge success and was regarded as a comedy (喜剧) masterpiece (杰作). “If I were to live a hundred years and write novels in each, I should never be so proud of any of them as I am proud of The Pickwick Papers,” he said.

It has been said of Dickens that he grasped (抓住) the imagination of his readers because his imagination grasped himself. The people in his works were so real that they could make him laugh or cry. When writing Oliver Twist he said that he could not rest until Fagin, the wrongdoer (做坏事的人), had been hanged.

Dickens’ marriage to Catherine Hagarth, with whom he had ten children, ended unhappily in 1858. He started to travel about giving readings of his works. His interest in theater gave his novels the qualities that made them suitable for reading aloud on the stage. A tiring travel to the United States affected his health. On June 9, 1870, when he was working on a new novel, he died, as he had wished. He said he wanted to die working.

1. Dickens became a famous novelist           .

A．because his social work

B．when he began to give readings of his works

C．because he was writing two novels at the same time

D．with the success of The Pickwick Papers

2. According to this passage, we know that Dickens                 .

A．was only interested in writing novels

B．didn’t like Oliver Twist

C．didn’t think he could write a better novel than The Pickwick Papers in his life

D．wished to live one hundred years and write three novels in each

3. Fagin must be           .

A．a person in real life

B．a character in Oliver Twist

C．a character in The Pickwick Papers

D．one of Dickens’ works

4. Which of the following is TRUE?

A．Dickens had a happy marriage to Catherine Hagarth.

B．Dickens was a successful actor.

C．Dickens’ death had little to do with his hard work.

D．Dickens had wished to die in the course of his work.

【推荐1】Pingvellir National Park was founded by law in 1930. The Act states that "Pingvellir shall be protected national shrine（圣地）for all Icelanders." In 2004 Pingvellir was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Facilities At Pingvellir National Park

The National Park Information Center at Leirar can provide advice on camping, fishing and hiking as well as other general information on the park. There is a small and comfortable cafeteria where drinks and light meals can be obtained.

At Hakio Visitor center is an interactive exhibition where the national park's history and nature comes alive. Guests can also find there souvenir shop and small cafeteria.

Pingvellir National Park Rules

• All nature in the National Park is protected. Don't disturb any natural or man-made feature.

• Do not damage vegetation. Fires are prohibited.

• Do not litter in the National Park.

•Do not drive off-road or park outside a designated（指定的）parking areas.

• Dogs must be kept on a leash（皮带）,and owners must clean up after their pets.

•Note that the Pingvellir area has many rock fissures and cracks. Stay careful.

• Camping is only permitted at designated campsites. Observe quiet between midnight and 8 am.

• Fishing permits are sold at the service center. Note that boats must not be launched from National Park land.

• Park rangers and service center staff will be pleased to provide further information.

• Pingvellir National Park is a haven of peace. Drunkenness is inappropriate here, and disturbs other visitors. The National Park reserves that right to expel drunken visitors.

1. What's this picture?

A．A warning notice.	B．A museum guide.
C．A travel leaflet.	D．An advertisement.

2. How should visitors act according to the Rules?

A．With permission and donation.

B．With freedom and pleasure.

C．With attention and calmness.

D．With caution and respect.

3. What can a visitor to the Park do?

A．Ask for advice at Visitor Center.

B．Walk pet dogs with dog leashes.

C．Fish in the lake without permits.

D．Camp only within the given time.

【推荐2】

Canada Apprentice (学徒) Loan Basics The Canada Apprentice Loan is available to help registered Red Seal apprentices cover the cost of their training. What you need to know ●The Government of Canada offers apprentices registered in a Red Seal Trade apprenticeship program up to $4,000 per period of technical training. ●You can get Canada Apprentice Loans for up to 5 periods of technical training. ●Your loan will be interest-free for up to 6 years as long as you are confirmed as being registered in a Red Seal Trade apprenticeship program. ●You do not have to make any loan payments as long as your loan is in interest-free status. Eligibility(资格) To be eligible, you must meet all of these criteria: ●be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Protected Person； ●be registered in a Red Seal Trade apprenticeship program that is designated by the province or territory where you are registered as an apprentice； ●be enrolled in block release technical training or the equivalent fulltime technical training with an approved technical training provider; ●pass a credit check (required if you are applying for the first time). You are not eligible if you: ●are a high school student； ●are an apprentice registered in the province of Quebec； ●are receiving a Canada Student Loan for the same technical training； ●have been told that you are restricted from receiving a Canada Apprentice Loan or a Canada Student Loan； ●have already received funding for 5 periods of technical training； ●have already received 6 years of interest-free status.

1. Who will fail to get Canada Apprentice Loans according to the passage?

A．An apprentice who used to study in the province of Quebec.

B．An apprentice who got the Canadian Citizenship three years ago.

C．An apprentice who is looking for an approved technical training provider.

D．An apprentice who has been funded for technical training three times.

2. Which of the following statements is False according to the passage?

A．You can get the loan without paying the interest.

B．You can totally get the loan of $20,000 in 5 periods.

C．You should be registered in a Red Seal Trade apprenticeship program.

D．You have to make some loan payment even though your loan is in interest-free status.

3. The purpose of the passage is intended to ____.

A．promote the business of Canadian banks

B．help students in need complete their studies

C．recruit more apprentices for Canadian companies

D．provide apprentices with fund to receive technical training

【推荐1】Every year in May, art galleries and museums prepare shows to honor Leonardo Da Vinci, who died in France on May 2, 1519. He is remembered as one of the greatest artists and creative thinkers of all time. His most famous paintings are The Mona Lisa and The Last Supper.

Recently, researchers have been studying a painting-Landscape 8P which, they think, is Da Vinci's earliest-known artwork. They used special lighting to study the artwork and discovered there were two images, not one. One drawing is on the back of the piece, which dates back to August 5,1473.

The drawing on the front was painted when Leonardo was 21 years old. It shows a river valley and a castle outside the city of Florence. There is little left of the drawing on the back, perhaps because it was wiped off. Only a bridge over a river can be seen. But there is writing on both sides.

The writing on the front gives the date and goes from right to left. Some people would call this “mirror-writing”. It's a way Leonardo often wrote in his notebooks. The writing on the back goes from left to right and tells about an agreement, probably to produce a work of art.

Cecilia Frosinini is an art historian. She said, “Leonardo was born left-handed, but was taught to write with his right hand from a very young age. By looking at his writings, including from this drawing, we can see his right-handed handwriting is educated and well done.”

Experts compared the two handwriting samples(样本)and said they were both made by Leonardo. They show he could write well using his left hand or his right hand.

The drawing is known as Landscape 8P from its number in an art list. It will be part of an exhibit at Italy's Uffizi Gallery. The gallery director, Eike Schmidt, said by studying the drawing researchers gave us a new way of looking at Leonardo's drawing technique and his abilities in writing.

1. What does the writing on the back probably tell about?

A．A statement about the painting.	B．An agreement to produce a painting.
C．An introduction about Leonardo.	D．Something about the city of Florence.

2. What can we learn about Leonardo from Cecilia's words?

A．He did bad in right-handed handwriting.

B．He wasn’t good at writing with his left hand.

C．He could write with either of his hands.

D．He taught himself to write with right hand.

3. What's Eike Schmidt’s attitude towards the research?

A．Unclear.	B．Indifferent.
C．Positive.	D．Doubtful.

【推荐2】Peter Ripken loves literature and reads books by writers all over the world. He learned years ago that not all nations permit writers to express themselves freely. In fact, free expression can be quite dangerous in many places.

So, Ripken decided to act. He helped establish an organization, the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN), to protect writers. Its founders sought to persuade cities, not central governments, to give refuge to persecuted(受迫害的)writers. He was involved right from the beginning, from the mid-1990s, to set up this program.

Originally, he had a different view of his future as a young man. He thought of becoming a bookseller because of his reading obsession when he was 15. But he did not become a bookseller. Instead, in the late 1960s, Ripken began a five year stint as a manager in an aid organization working in Africa. But his love for the written word remained strong. He then worked for three years as a deputy editor for the Africa section at the Voice of Germany. Despite his love for the job, when asked to join an organization promoting African, Asian and Latin American literature, Ripken didn’t hesitate. He had fun travelling to literature conferences and holding workshops with publishers and authors. That’s why he did the job for 20 years.

Ripken grew up reading German authors. But his interest broadened to other European and American literature. Then, he found what he called books "outside the norm(常态)". This helped grow his interest in political developments in other regions.

In 2016，Ripken retired after several years as ICORN’s chairman. But he is still active in the organization. His goal is to increase the group’s capacity to protect and promote writers and artists at risk around the world. He said he hoped to be remembered as somebody who had promoted creativity and supported literature as a political tool and source of enjoyment.

1. What’s the role of Ripken in the development of ICORN?

A．A monitor.	B．A co-founder.
C．A consultant.	D．An analyst.

2. What might Ripken work as in 1975?

A．A bookseller.	B．A manager.
C．A deputy editor.	D．A staff in ICORN.

3. What contributes to Ripken’s active involvement in ICORN?

A．He grew up reading German authors.

B．He loved travelling and meeting people.

C．He’s obsessed with literature all over the world.

D．He concerned himself about political developments via literature.

4. What might be talked about in the paragraph following the passage?

A．Why politics influences literature.

B．Why literature itself is a pleasure.

C．How ICORN has become so international.

D．How people read works of literature "outside the norm".

【推荐3】1. Scenic landscapes on stamps: A nine-day tour in the cities of Xuzhou,Suqian and Huai'an in northern Jiangsu province.

This route is associated with local culture, characteristics, and creativity. It offers a taste of the famous canal cities.

2.Life on the Grand Canal: A seven-day Jiangsu tour through the cities of Nanjing, Suqian, Huai'an,Yangzhou and Suzhou.

This route presents the most authentic, economic, cultural and entertainment-focused activities along the canal from both ancient and modern times.I allows visitors to ride in boats and observe local fishermen fishing.

3.Food,culture,leisure and health;Seven-day experience of local life in Zhenjiang Changzhou,Wuxi and Suzhou

To increase tourists’ interest in the traditional culture and crafts of Jiangsu, the route will include pottery,embroidery(刺绣), paper-cutting, cooking and other hands-on experiences. It includes scenic spots along the Beijing-Hangzhou Gran Canal, ancient water towns, historical streets and ancient fishing villages.Visitors can join in the recreational farmhouse experience and pick up both fruits and vegetables

4．A walk into history: Six-day tour in Xuzhou, Suqian,Huai’an,Yangzhou, Zhenjiang, Changzhou and Wuxi

The Beiing-Hangzhou Grand Canal runs through the entire province and has been a part of Jiangsu's culture for thousands of years. Inspired by the canal, the route includes historical cities Xuzhou, Suqian, Huai'an,Yangzhou along with Zheniang Changzhou and Wuxi.

1. Which of the following do the four travel routes share?

A．A time duration of less than a week.

B．Ancient towns in southern Jiangsu.

C．The Grand Canal.

D．The city of Suqian.

2. Which route is the best for an in-depth tourist who wants to cover fewer cities with more time?

A．Route 1

B．Route 2

C．Route 3

D．Route 4.

3. What can you enjoy in the route only covering Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou and Zhenjiang?

A．Rowing a boat.	B．Trying on paper-cutting.
C．Growing vegetables.	D．Fishing with local villagers.