【推荐2】People are flying more than ever. From short trips to traveling around the globe, many are on the move. But finding the way at the airports has never been easy in the US, due to crowding and a lot of tasks like checking in, taking care of baggage, screening and finding your gate. It is often difficult to get to where you are going. If you are in a wheelchair or visually challenged, it’s even harder.

The new terminal (航站楼) at the Kanses City International Airport is designed to fix many of these shortcomings. The new facility features indoor play areas, changing rooms, and a quiet room for people who cannot handle the noise or activity of a busy airport. There is even a pet relief area for people traveling with their furry family members. One innovation is the glass-walled jet bridge for people who are worried about getting on and off planes. And for people who are uncomfortable with the whole airport and flying process, there are simulators (模拟器) that allow travelers to go from boarding to taking off virtually.

Justin Meyer, with the Kansas City Aviation Department, said the new terminal sets a high standard for acceptance that passengers will expect to see in other airports. “The goal isn’t that we’re forever at the head of the line,” Meyer said. “My goal was just to raise the bar, so if someone else wants to build the most accessible airport in the world, they’re going to have to start from where Kansas City stopped. In the end, passengers win.”

While making airports more accessible to people with different abilities may seem to be expensive or difficult, the benefits certainly outweigh the costs. Accessible airports mean that more people and their families will be able to travel and then the skies will be friendly to all.

1. What is the function of paragraph 1?

A．To send a warning.	B．To introduce the topic.
C．To offer practical advice.	D．To advocate improving service quality.

2. Who are most likely to use the glass-walled jet bridge?

A．People who take a pet.	B．People who use a wheelchair.
C．People who travel with family.	D．People who have flight anxiety.

3. What does the underlined words “to raise the bar” mean in paragraph 3?

A．To establish a physical bar for access.	B．To delay the progress of other airports.
C．To improve the quality of services provided.	D．To increase the number of passengers served.

4. What’s the author’s attitude towards the Kansas City International Airport’s practice?

A．Doubtful.

B．Favorable.

C．Indifferent.

D．Conservative.

【推荐3】Beethoven, one of the world’s most-loved composers, is famous for his nine symphonies (交响乐). Before he died, he began a new symphony, but never finished it. Computer scientists and musicians have now used artificial intelligence to finish his 10th Symphony.

Beethoven wrote many famous pieces of music, but he’s probably best known for his nine symphonies. A symphony is a long, grand piece of classical music, usually divided into four parts. The four parts are often linked by “themes” — repeated musical ideas that tie the whole piece together. When Beethoven died in 1827, he had some ideas for a 10th Symphony. But all that he left behind were some notes about the piece and a few “sketches” — short bits of written music.

In 2019, a special team of musicians, computer scientists, and historians was formed. To train an AI to help with the symphony, the team turned every piece of music that Beethoven ever wrote into a form the computer could understand. By feeding the program all of Beethoven’s music, the AI could look for patterns in the way Beethoven wrote. This included, for example, how he re used simple melodies (旋律) all through a piece to create a theme, or how he moved between different parts of the symphony. Thus, it would be much easier for the special team to finish Beethoven’s 10th Symphony.

One early test told the team they were on the right track. They took a few minutes of music created by the AI based on Beethoven’s sketches, and played it for Beethoven experts, musicians, and reporters. No one could tell which parts had been written by Beethoven and which parts the AI made up. Finally, the AI had the challenge of trying to connect the little musical bits into a symphony. It took over two years, but the team was able to complete Beethoven’s 10th Symphony. Not simply a melody, but 40 minutes of music for a full orchestra — a large group of musicians playing everything from string instruments, like violins, trumpets, flutes, drums, and piano.

1. What does the writer intend to do in paragraph 1?

A．To explain what artificial intelligence is.

B．To give readers a general idea of the text.

C．To tell readers how Beethoven is loved by people.

D．To show the reason for Beethoven’s new symphony.

2. What is the goal of the special team?

A．To learn to play Beethoven’s nine symphonies.

B．To feed all Beethoven’s symphonies into computer.

C．To try to complete Beethoven’s 10th Symphony.

D．To create a new piece of music based on the 10th Symphony.

3. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．The special team’s great efforts paid off.

B．It was challenging for AI to complete the task.

C．Beethoven’s sketches were too hard to figure out.

D．AI created simply a melody of Beethoven’s 10th Symphony.

4. Where is the text probably taken from?

A．A brochure.	B．A textbook.
C．A music review.	D．A news website.

【推荐3】Never before have Chinese Internet users so openly liked and supported a Japanese athlete as they have loved table tennis star Ai Fukuhara (福原爱), better known by her Japanese nickname “Ai-Chan”.

But they may now feel heartbroken, as the 29-year-old said on Oct.21 that she would retire (退役) from the sport. I’ve found the answers within myself that I have been searching for. From the standpoint ( 立场) of an athlete, I'm drawing the line here," Fukuhara wrote on her blog.

After she started playing table tennis at 3 years old, Fukuhara was seen as a child gifted at the sport. Being trained in China at a very young age, Fukuhara can speak fluent Mandarin, with a northeastern accent.

If her deep-rooted connection with China is one thing that has won the hearts of Chinese fans, her character is another. She always shows her real self to the public without hiding her feelings. She laughs in games when she wins, and cries when she loses. The fact that she often cries when she gets upset has earned her the nickname “Crybaby Ai-Chan” in China.

Although she was beaten by a long line of Chinese players, Fukuhara always tries her best when playing her favorite sport. Yet, she also knows that now is the best time to close the curtain on her successful career. It's hard to say goodbye to a long journey but as Fukuhara once said on a reality TV show, “Life is not all about table tennis. Instead, it is just part of life.”

As for her future plans, Fukuhara wrote that she would like to help more people around the world get to know the beauty of the sport.

1. What makes Fukuhara popular with the Chinese fans?

A．Her lovely nickname.

B．Her beautiful appearance.

C．Her Japanese nationality.

D．Her deep-rooted connection with China.

2. What does the underlined phrase drawing the line mean in paragraph 2?

A．Bringing an end to something.

B．Making a plan.

C．Lending a hand.

D．Making a decision.

3. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Fukuhara can speak many foreign languages.

B．Fukuhara was trained in China at three years old.

C．Fukuhara has beaten a number of Chinese players.

D．Fukuhara plans to get more people interested in the sport.

4. What is the best title of the passage?

A．End of a journey. .

B．Rise in sports.

C．Friendship with China.

D．Secret to success.

【推荐1】The student arrived early, sat front and center, and stood out in my classroom in more ways than one. I’d say that he was about 40 years older than his classmates in my undergraduate communications class. He eagerly jumped into class discussions, with his humor and wisdom of experience. And he was always respectful of the other students’ perspectives, as if each of them were a teacher. Jerry Valencia walked in with a smile—and he left with one too.

“These students gave me the confidence that I didn’t need to feel bad about my age,” Valencia says.

One day, I spotted Valencia on campus. He said he would have to stop taking classes that semester and reapply for next year. By then, he hoped to have earned enough money and have his student-loan papers in order. He asked seriously whether he could still sit in on my communications class.

Sure, I said. But he wouldn’t get any credit.

No problem, he said.

Soon there he was again, back at his old desk, jumping into our discussions on how to find and tell stories in Los Angeles—a 63-year-old man with as much energy and curiosity as any of the youngsters in class.

A lot of Valencia’s classmates apparently knew he couldn’t afford that semester’s tuition but was still doing the homework. “Here he is, willingly taking a class for the delight of it and benefit of learning,”says Jessica Espinosa, a 25-year-old junior. Afterward, I overheard Valencia wanted to stay in school until he earned a master’s degree, but it had taken him 12 years to finish community college, so he had a long way to go.

There is something splendidly unreasonable about Valencia’s determination to get a four-year degree and then a master’s. At his current pace, he’ll be 90 when he finally hangs all that paper on the wall. But that doesn’t seem especially relevant. He’s found all the youthful energy and academic opportunity stimulating. Valencia’s grade in my class this semester will not show up on his transcripts(成绩单). But I’m giving him an A—and in the most important ways, it counts.

1. What made Valencia different from his classmates?

A．He was respectful to the teacher.

B．He activated the class atmosphere.

C．He was eager to learn despite his age.

D．He often put forward different opinions.

2. According to the author, why did Valencia continue to attend classes?

A．He treasured the chance of learning.

B．He wished to show his determination.

C．He needed the credits to further his study.

D．He desired to have an A on his transcripts.

3. Which of the following best describes Valencia?

A．Modest and independent.	B．Energetic and generous.
C．Enthusiastic and motivated.	D．Considerate and intelligent.

4. What can we learn from the passage?

A．No pains, no gains.	B．It is never too old to learn.
C．Strike the iron while it is hot.	D．Where there is life, there is hope.

【推荐2】Adonis Lattimore, 17, was born without a right leg, a partial left leg and only one arm. Although there were doubts from his classmates, Lattimore won Virginia’s Class 6 106-pound wrestling (摔跤) championship, capping off his high school career in a major way.

“That feeling when it finally pays off is the best feeling in the world,” Lattimore said. Lattimore’s wrestling career began in primary school when his dad found an ad about a local wrestling club and brought him to a practice. He was attracted and knew he wanted to continue in the sport. “After that, I never stopped going. I guess what kept me there was the competitive spirit and the friends I was meeting on the way,” he said. At times, others would judge his outward appearance, but he didn’t let the doubts weaken his drive. Instead, he remained focused on his technique and never once thought about giving up.

In March, Lattimore took part in his last regional match. Though he was filled with nervousness, he remained focused for each of the three-minute wrestling periods. Then came the moment he worked so hard for. His name was announced on the loudspeaker as the 2022 state champion. “I cried a little bit,” Lattimore said, “I watched so many finals from the stands or just from videos and to actually be the one to win it was a pretty dreamlike feeling.”

Lattimore is now planning on heading to college to continue wrestling and get a degree in computer science. Through his journey, he hopes to encourage other young athletes to enjoy the ride and do whatever they dream about. “Put everything you have into doing what you love,” he said.

1. What does the underlined word “capping off” mean in paragraph 1?

A．Ending.

B．Starting.

C．Making.

D．Changing.

2. What did Lattimore do with others’ doubts?

A．He accepted them.	B．He cared much about them.
C．He paid no attention to them.	D．He expressed his thanks for them.

3. Which of the following best describes Lattimore?

A．Humorous.

B．Strong-willed.

C．Thoughtful.

D．Warm-hearted.

4. What can we conclude from this text?

A．Enjoy life to the full.	B．Put yourself into others’ shoes.
C．Actions speaker louder than words.	D．Where there is a will, there is a way.