【推荐1】Every summer, my family and I visit our relatives in India and whenever we travel, my parents always remind me to drink only bottled or boiled water. On one of my trips to India, I saw children drinking water from the roadside. I was troubled to learn that millions of people, most of them children in developing countries, die each year because of water related diseases.

Living in the US, I am lucky to be able to turn on the tap and get potable water(饮用水), while one sixth of the world's population lacks access to clean water. This year, I entered the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. In late June, I learned that I was selected as one of the top 10 national finalists of this famous middle school science competition. Over the summer, I worked with Dr. Jim Jonza, my Scientist mentor(导师) from 3M, and developed a system that uses solar energy to purify water. My invention is green and cost effective, and I am looking forward to implementing this in places that are affected(影响) by harmful water pollution.

In October, my family and I flew to 3M Headquarters in St Paul, Minnesota, where the final event was to be held. For the last challenge, each of us had to present the invention we had been working on over the summer. The first place winner would win $25,000, a trip to Costa Rica, and the title of America’s Top Young Scientist. At the awards ceremony, all of us waited anxiously until one of the judges, Danny Forester, started announcing “The winner of the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge is.... ”You could hear a pin(大头针) drop as he opened the paper with the winner’ s name, “Deepika Kurup!”

As America’s Top Young Scientist, I was given an opportunity to show my invention on national television and deliver several presentations. One of the most important things I have learned is that communication and teamwork are key to success.

1. Why does the author mention her visits to India?

A．To express her great love for India

B．To show the problem of unclean water.

C．To explain the importance of relatives

D．To compare eastern and western cultures

2. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “implementing” in Paragraph 2?

A．Researching

B．Changing

C．Finishing

D．Using

3. How did the audience react as Forester opened the paper with the winner’s name?

A．They appeared calm	B．They let out shouts of joy
C．They sat quiet	D．They dropped pins to the author

4. How is the text mainly organized?

A．In order of time	B．In order of complexity(复杂性)
C．In order of place	D．In order of importance

【推荐3】A self-driving ship named after the Mayflower has been brought back while trying to re-create the cross-Atlantic trip made by the original Mayflower in 1620.

Last Tuesday, a robotic ship called the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) took off from Plymouth, England. Its mission was to re-create the 1620 crossing of the Atlantic by the Mayflower, which brought the first European settlers to what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts.

But unlike the original Mayflower, there are no people on the MAS. Everything about the ship is designed to run automatically. The ship is guided by an artificial intelligence (AI) system called “Al Captain”.

The MAS is a project run by a group called ProMare along with the computer company, IBM. The ship's electric motor is powered by solar energy. The goal of the project is to test different kinds of technologies for collecting information about the sea. If these can be handled by machines, it could be a big advance in ocean research. Sending humans to collect information at sea can be difficult, lonely, and dangerous.

In addition to cameras and radar to help the ship guide itself, the ship is carrying many different kinds of tools and sensors. It has special listening devices which can detect whales and dolphins. It even has a special “tongue” which can report back on the chemicals in the water.

Last Friday morning, scientists tracking the ship noticed that it was going about half as fast as it should have been going. The AI Captain was working well, but there seemed to be something slowing the motor down. Since the ship had only covered 10% of the way across the Atlantic, the team decided to bring it back to Plymouth so they could fix the problem and send it out again. They sent the MAS instructions to turn back.

When the MAS finally does put out to sea again, it is expected to take about three weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The fastest speed for the MAS is about 10 mph (10 miles per hour). That may seem slow, but it's about 5 times faster than the original Mayflower, which took 66 days to make the journey.

1. The aim of the MAS project is to ________.

A．take more Europeans across the Atlantic

B．experiment with technologies for sea exploration

C．develop new artificial intelligence system

D．test the AI Captain on the sea

2. What happened to the MAS on the sea?

A．The robotic ship's electric motor didn't work well.

B．The scientists failed to guide the ship completely.

C．The AI Captain reduced the speed of the MAS.

D．There was something wrong with the AI Captain.

3. What can we know from the last paragraph?

A．The entire cross-Atlantic journey will be about 2,100 miles.

B．The journey are likely to be difficult and dangerous.

C．The Mayflower Autonomous Ship has set sail again.

D．The original Mayflower travelled at about 2 mph at most.

4. What's the best title for the text?

A．A Robotic Ship Guided by the AI Captain System

B．Self-driving Mayflower Ship Forced to Turn Back

C．The Fastest Robotic Ship Sailing Across the Atlantic

D．Another Mayflower Managing to Re-create the Cross-Atlantic Trip

【推荐1】If you make a list of the world’s top ten most challenging job, chances are that being a teacher will not make the cut. But think about the daunting task millions of educators face each day as they try to mold a group of often surly, unruly kids into intelligent, well-rounded individuals. That surely has to be the toughest job in the world, especially given that there is no promotion or bonus awaiting them even if they are wildly successful!

What if these all-important individuals that we often take for granted disappear from our lives? That was what Project Ed and Participant Media's Teach campaign asked filmmakers of all ages to envision for their recently held contest. Entitled, "A World Without Teachers," its intent was to inspire more young people to become teachers. However, the 62 amazing video submissions also serve as a reminder of how grim things would be if we didn't have these selfless individuals guiding us through life. What was interesting is that even the youngest contestants did not appear to rejoice at the idea of not having anybody telling them what to do.

High-school student Savannah Wakefield pondered if art as we know it today would have been different without teachers. Would Monet have discovered his talent for impressionism? Los Angeles-based Miles Horst, who won the 1,000 USD prize for the best adult submission imagines a world where teachers are replaced by a 'brain box' in his fun animated entry.

Youth category winner Marina Barham's video depicts a fact we all know but often forget. Teachers don't just teach, they inspire - something that no electronic device, no matter how smart, can do! So the next time you think your teacher is being   "mean" for trying to channel you in the right direction, imagine a life without him/her. We have a feeling it will not appear as rosy!

1. What is the passage mainly about?

A．The campaign to promote teachers' status.

B．The significance cf teachers.

C．A survey of people's views about teachers.

D．The possibility of a world where teachers are replaced.

2. From the passage we can learn that_____.

A．teaching naughty kids is a very discouraging task

B．being a teacher is one of the most challenging jobs in the world

C．a successful teacher has the greatest chance to be promoted

D．teachers have little influence on kids' individual development

3. What is the purpose of the project “A World Without Teachers”?

A．To attract kids to submit more videos of their teachers.

B．To expect teachers to devote themselves to their jobs.

C．To remind students to appreciate teachers' hard work.

D．To encourage more people to go into teaching career.

4. What can we infer from the underlined sentence?

A．Teaching is quite different from other jobs.

B．The future of teachers' work appears inspiring.

C．A world without teachers will be unimaginable.

D．Many people attach more importance to teaching.

【推荐3】Ever wonder why sometimes a hug is all you need ? You can’t explain it , but there’s just something comforting about being in your wife’s arms after a rough day or giving mom a hug after a long time apart .
A new study says the warm feeling in a hug is more than just skin deep . Researchers from the University of California , Berkeley believe that this loving feeling could have anti-aging benefits .
Oxytocin , sometimes referred to as the “ love hormone（荷尔蒙）” or the “ trust hormone , ” is responsible for those indescribable feelings we get when we’re bonding with a lover or a loved one .
Levels of the hormone drop as we age , and evidence suggests that could be a contributing factor to the deterioration of our bodies as we age . Muscle loss in particular is one of the major side effects of aging , with our bodies losing up to 5 percent of our muscle mass each decade past our 30s .
In the study , published in the journal Nature Communications , researchers injected oxytocin into older mice with muscle damage . The older mice had lower levels of the homeone than younger mice initially . But after nine days , the older mice who were given the hormone healed better than those who did not . In fact , their ability to repair muscle damage was up to 80 percent that of the younger mice .
The results were not only fast-acting , but provide hope for future uses of the hormone in a variety of anti-aging capacities . “ This is good because it demonstrates that extra oxytocin improves aged tissue stem cells（组织干细胞）without making muscle stem cells divide uncontrollably , ” study co-author Wendy Cousins said in a statement .
Previous uses of anti-aging molecules have also been associated with higher cancer risk , but researchers are hopeful that oxytocin can be useful in humans without this risk . In the future , researchers of Berkeley say oxytocin could be used to fight other age-related health issues by improving bone health and even being used as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy .
Now go out and give someone a hug .
1. According to the passage , oxytocin __________ .

A．decreases when people get older

B．creates loving feeling on the skin

C．leads to the great loss of muscles

D．can be used in humans without any risk

2. The underlined word “ deterioration ” in Paragraph 4 probably refers to the state of __________ .

A．getting fatter	B．becoming worse or less
C．growing stronger	D．dividing uncontrollably

3. What can be learned from the research ?

A．All the older mice healed faster in the research .

B．Older mice healed better than younger ones after 9 days .

C．Extra oxytocin in older mice controlled muscle cell division .

D．Mice with oxytocin injection improved the ability to repair muscle damage .

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

A．When Do We Need A Hug ?

B．A New Anti-aging Product

C．Hugs Having Healing Power

D．How Can We Grow Muscles ?

【推荐1】Supermarket shelves are filled with plant-based alternatives to cow milk, including soy, nut, and coconut milk. These products are popular with consumers who cannot drink cows’ milk for health reasons, as well as with those concerned about animal welfare and environmental sustainability. While the dairy-free(非乳制的) options work well with cereal or in coffee, they fail miserably when it comes to making milk-based products like cheese or yogurt. However, these shortcomings may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a new company in California, which has figured out how to create animal-free milk in a laboratory!

Perumal Gandhi and Ryan Pandya founded the company in 2014 after becoming increasingly annoyed with the lack of cows’ milk-free alternatives, particularly for cheese. For Gandhi, who stopped consuming animal products five years earlier due to environmental and animal welfare concerns, the motivation to create a better alternative stemmed from his love of cheesy pizza. Pandya was spurred into taking action after being forced to eat some “really bad” dairy-free cream cheese on his sandwich.

The two MIT biomedical engineering scientists decided to join forces to create a more realistic alternative to dairy-based products. In their university lab, the pair spent nine months first isolating(分离) cow DNA then inserting it into yeast. This genetic modification enabled the yeast to produce the necessary milk proteins. The final step of the process involved mixing the proteins with some plant nutrients and fats.

The dairy-free milk not only tastes like the real thing but is also healthier, has a longer shelf life and, most important of all, is Earth friendly. According to the company’s website, when compared to conventional（传统的） milk production, their process uses 65% less energy, creates 84%o less greenhouse gas emissions and requires 91% less land and an amazing 98% less water! Best of all, since it contains real milk proteins, the product behaves like the cow-produced version, which means vegetarian consumers will no longer have to deal with soggy cheese on their sandwiches and pizzas.

The company plans to bring their creation to market later this year and their first product will most likely be cheese since there are already numerous good cows’ milk alternatives available to consumers.

1. The underlined word "those" in paragraph 1 refers to_______.

A．alternatives	B．people
C．products	D．reasons

2. What can be inferred from paragraph 4?

A．The dairy-free products cannot be stored for a long time.

B．The new products will taste better than dairy-based ones.

C．Cow farming causes considerable environmental damage.

D．The dairy-free milk will be more expensive than cow’s milk.

3. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Healthier Cheese	B．New Milk Saves Planet
C．Fresher Milk, Better Future	D．Making Milk without Cows

【推荐2】On Hoxton Street in East London there is a very special children’s writing and mentoring(辅导) center called the Ministry of Stories, which is fronted by its shop , Hoxton Street Monster(怪兽) Supplies, where you can expect to find monster food. The store raises funds for this very special program that fires children’s imagination.

The youth aged 8 to 18 enter the Ministry, through a secret door that is designed to open a world of opportunity by encouraging a love for writing. The organization believes that, “Writing increases self-respect, improves communication and can change lives.” That’s because writing allows children’s voices to be heard.

This year, the workshop is celebrating 10 years of helping children discover a love for writing through creative programs. Founded by Lucy Macnab, Ben Payne and best-selling author Nick Hornby, the organization works with around 1,000 children per year participating in schools, and community programs across Hackney, Islington, and Tower Hamlets. It now has over 400 volunteers and runs its program free of charge for the youth of the areas.

“Through a range of creative writing programs, and one-to-one mentoring, we aim to help young people find their own qualities that can be developed,” Macnab told The Telegraph. “We build confidence, self-respect, and communication skills in both workshops for schools and out of school writing clubs.”

One 10-year participant, Nmeso, said that the weekly after-school club he attends at the Ministry has helped him grow his imagination and improve his academic performance. In fact, he was able to move up a grade in school. What’s even more remarkable is that Nmeso has had a story he wrote published ── along with other writers in the program ──titled Andre Has a Hard Time .This is Nmeso’s success story.

1. What is the function of Hoxton Street Monster Supplies?

A．Advertising the mentoring center.

B．Supporting the Ministry of Stories.

C．Attracting young children to come.

D．Arousing children's interest in food.

2. Why are some figures used in the paragraph 3?

A．To prove the program is popular.

B．To suggest writing is vital for children.

C．To attract readers’ attention to the center.

D．To show the value of running the program.

3. What is the program intended to do?

A．To give the children a better future.

B．To help discover the children’s potential.

C．To help the children express opinions.

D．To develop the children’s writing skills.

4. What does the author say about Nmeso?

A．He is ten years old this year.

B．He’s got his own book published.

C．He has benefitted a lot from the program.

D．He becomes very famous as a young writer.

【推荐3】Kids in primary schools in Bellaire, Ohio, have something to sing about. For the past eight years, public primary schools in that town didn’t offer music classes. They didn’t have the money to pay for them. But the school district got some support to bring back music this school year.

Many school officials across the country say music classes get students excited about going to school. And studies have shown that music classes may boost brainpower. For example, researchers from the University of Southern California recently released the results of a five­year study. They found that the brains of 10­and 11­year­olds who learned to play a musical instrument developed faster than the brains of kids who didn’t.

Though most people aren’t against teaching music in schools, not everyone says it’s necessary. Many school officials argue (争论) that learning music means less time spent on maths, writing, and science, all of which may be more useful to students later in life.

Here’s what two of our readers think.

Music should be taught in school for the simple reason that it makes learning more fun. We have music classes at my school, and I love them!

Taking music lessons can also build character. In 2015, a research company called Grunwald Associates did a survey on music education. More than 60 percent of parents whose kids took music classes in school said their child became more focused (集中注意力的).

—Noah Falcon, New Jersey

At my school, we don’t have music classes. I think that’s OK because it gives us more time to focus on main subjects, like reading and maths. It’s more important to learn these subjects than it is to learn how to play an instrument or sing.

If someone wants to take music lessons, he or she can do it outside of school. Once I took a mariachi (墨西哥流浪乐队音乐) class after school, so it didn’t take time away from my other classes.

—Sophia Salazar, California

1. What change has happened in primary schools in Bellaire this year?

A．Music classes are offered.

B．The school year is shortened.

C．Singing is allowed in schools.

D．Kids can get prizes if they learn music.

2. What does the underlined word “boost” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Create.

B．Prevent.

C．Increase.

D．Discover.

3. What does Noah Falcon think of music education?

A．It is unnecessary.

B．It is very important.

C．It is a waste of money.

D．It is easy to continue.

4. What can we learn about Sophia Salazar?

A．She didn’t like music at all.

B．Music brings her more fun.

C．Music helps her keep focused.

D．She took a music class after school.

【推荐1】“Hey, how are you doing? What grade are you in? What's your favorite book? Yeah, I got it.” If you thought you’d walked into a library with a greeting like that, you wouldn’t be too far off. In fact, you’ve entered the workplace of Courtney Holmes, the Storybook Barber

Two years ago, Dubuque Iowa held its first annual Back to School Bash, offering needy families a chance to learn about free resources in the community. Holmes agreed to take part in it. He was holding down two jobs at the time one with the city’s public works department, the other as a barber. Saturday was his busiest haircutting day, but he chose to devote his time to underprivileged (底层的) kids so they’d look sharp on that first day of classes. But then he had a sudden idea. “The kids should earn their free haircut by having to read a book to me.” Holmes said.

The idea was so popular that he continued it the first Tuesday of every month for the next two years. Five-to ten-year-old kids would hold a favorite book, settle into the barber chair, and read aloud while Holmes Gave them a haircut. If they had any difficulty, Holmes was there to help. After the haircut, they’d review the book, from the characters and vocabularies to the themes — just like in school, only more fun. “These kids are eager to learn.” said Holmes. “And they are able to open their hearts there.”

Holmes admits he, too, benefits from the activity. “There was a seven-year-old boy who struggled through his book, shuttering (口吃 )over words even though he didn’t have a stutter,” said Holmes. He had the boy take the book home and practice. “When the child came back next time. He read it with no problems. That inspired me.”

1. Why did Holmes take part in Back to School Bash?

A．To reduce the parent’s pressure.	B．To earn more money.
C．To help poor kids look good.	D．To work in the local schools.

2. How often did Holmes provide free haircuts during the two years?

A．Once a year.	B．Every Tuesday.
C．Every weekend.	D．Once a month.

3. What can we learn about Holmes’ young customers?

A．There are more boy’s than girls.	B．They are students with reading problems.
C．They learn more here than in school.	D．They get along well with Holmes.

4. What can we best describe Holmes as?

A．A responsible social worker.	B．A hard-working barber.
C．A kind-hearted volunteer.	D．A busy and loving parent.

【推荐2】When it comes to historical Italian coffee, you cannot help but talk of Venice. It is in this city that the tradition of coffee was born, and then spread to the rest of Italy.

Caffè Florian

Caffè Florian was founded in 1720. From then on, this elegant building has been characterized by its exclusive products and guests: here, noblemen, politicians and intellectuals would meet. Today, the café is an important cultural center where exhibitions are organized. But it remains an ideal place for tourists who simply want to enjoy an espresso sitting at a little table in the heart of Venice, a few steps from the Grand Canal.

Gran Caffè Quadri

Also in St. Mark’s Square, there is another historic café that since 1775 has earned an important place among the many.Gran Caffè Quadri represents the memory of centuries in the twilight(晚期) of the Republic of Venice, and the birth of the modern age, and the secrets of the famous people who sat in its halls. Even today, Gran Caffè Quadri is a favorite of actors and directors attending the Venice Film Festival.

Harry’s Bar

More recent, but equally fascinating, is the story of Harry’s Bar, opened in 1931 and declared a national monument in 2001. Built from an old warehouse close to Piazza San Marco, Harry’s Bar owes its name and existence to the American student Harry Pickering. This is not strictly a coffee bar, but inside intellectuals, artists, writers such as Arturo Toscanini, Guglielmo Marconi, Charlie Chaplin, all spent time.

Caffè La Calcina

Moving to the southern limit of the city, in the ancient neighborhood called Le Zattere, we will find Caffè La Calcina, another important spot that was a meeting place for artists and writers in the early 1900s. The place is now a bar and restaurant called La Piscina, in memory of the bathhouse with a pool that used to be there.

1. Where would you go if you are interested in cultural evens?

A．Caffè Florian.	B．Gran Caffè Quadri.
C．Harry’s Bar.	D．Caffè La Calcina.

2. Harry’s Bar was named after_________.

A．Piazza San Marco	B．an old warehouse
C．Arturo Toscanini	D．an American student

3. What do the cafés have in common?

A．They were popular among celebrities.	B．They are on the decline nowadays.
C．They are located in St.Mark’s Square.	D．They were built from old houses.

【推荐3】阅读下列短文，选出最佳选项。
City College Union Company
Secretary/Typist
The Union is a student-run organization with a permanent staff of 20. Typing speed: at least 60 wpm.
The ability to take shorthand dictation and a working knowledge of filling procedures are essential requirements.
The basic salary for the position is $ 18,500 per year.
Enquires to R. Barbar 387-5075.
Emu Airline
Secretary
Emu Airline is now offering a part-time position for a secretary.
The position offers at least 20 hours’ work a week, with a view to full-time work in the future. Monthly salary is about $ 1,400.
Phone 899-3264 for an appointment.
Word Processor
Operator (full-time)
We need an operator to work in an office associated with the building industry. Only experienced operators are expected to apply.
Starting salary: $ 17,950 yearly.
Apply in writing to: the Personnel Officer Hill Morgan Pty Ltd 38 Green Hill Rd.
Sewing Machinist Wanted
Jeans Industry
We are an expanding clothing company located south of the city. Our products include jeans, skirts, shorts and so on. We are looking for sewing machine operators.
The factory works a 38-hour week over 4-5 days. Wages for this are $ 18,050 per year.
If you are interested, come over and pick up an application form from Ripper Jeans, 23 North Ave, Beaudesert.
1. What do these four advertisements have in common?

A．Each of them is commented by their manager.

B．They are located in the south of the same city.

C．Their companies are introduced in detail.

D．They all want people in the proper position.

2. The applicants for the post of a secretary in City College Union Company should have the following qualities EXCEPT .

A．ability of organization.

B．knowledge about filling the form.

C．typing skill.

D．writing rapidly.

3. The attractiveness of the post in Emu Airline is     .

A．its promising future.

B．its free flying.

C．its good salary.

D．its nice working conditions.

4. If you want to be a sewing machine operator, you may contact this company by

A．visit.	B．fax.
C．phone.	D．email.