【推荐1】Two years ago, my 11-year-old son sat me down for a talk. “Mom, it’s time,” he said. “Hear me out: It’s time we got actual TV. And you need an iPhone.”

This funny conversation two years ago marked a shift in our relationship. Perhaps for the first time, I began to really listen to my son’s opinion about our home technology. Since his reasoning was sound and his suggestions within budget, I took his advice and was pleasantly surprised with the results.

I’d known for a while that my son understands technology better than I do. On airplanes, he grabbed my phone to put it in airplane mode. He wired the speakers in our house. After something was stolen from our front yard, he picked out, set up, and now monitors our security camera. When my computer died, I took him shopping with me.

As a teenager now, he has a busy social life, with skateboarding, basketball, and online gaming with his friends. I see our time together decreasing and our shared interests shrinking. That’s why I jumped at the chance when a friend mentioned writing technology reviews. I’m a writer, but I’d need a partner who has more tech knowledge than me. When I presented the idea to my teen, he immediately accepted.

It’s changed our relationship in surprising ways. Where he used to get annoyed quickly at my technical ignorance, he’s learned to be more patient and explain things to me in a way that I can convey to an unknowing audience. The parent-child dynamic is not only changed; it’s even slightly reversed (颠倒). He’s leading me. I’m asking him for help and advice. My son has risen to the occasion. He’s taking it seriously, and to watch him mature in this way is an honor. As someone who’s not much of a reader, he now searches instruction manuals. Without any prompting, he’s even emailed and called, yes, made an actual phone call to customer service or tech support when sample products weren’t working as expected.

I never imagined being a tech reviewer, but it’s proved to be a valuable way to learn from, work with and enjoy time with my teen.

1. What did the writer think of her son’s advice?

A．It sounded ambitious.	B．It was comprehensive.
C．It was complicated.	D．It sounded sensible.

2. What does the writer intend to do in paragraph 3?

A．Prove her son’s better mastery of technology.

B．Give examples of her son’s gift in technology.

C．Describe their close parent-child relationship.

D．Express her satisfaction of her son’s competence.

3. Why did the writer take her friend’s advice of writing technology reviews?

A．Because she planned to learn more tech knowledge.

B．Because her son was experienced in review writing.

C．Because she wanted to improve their relationship.

D．Because she hoped that her son could be successful.

4. What makes the writer feel honored?

A．Her son’s attitudes to some unknown audiences.

B．Her son’s dominance of the parent-child dynamic.

C．Her son’s tolerance and patience to their relationship.

D．Her son’s growth and careful attitude to the work.

【推荐2】When I stepped into the Samcheong Park Library in Seoul, I saw the future. The simple building had a nice selection of books and a cafe where readers could enjoy coffee while gazing at the leaves outside. It was specifically designed without any latest technology.

“What’s so innovative (创新的) about that?” a librarian in Toronto asked when I showed her pictures. Innovation to her meant digital technology, like 3D printers. “Why couldn’t they both be innovative?” I asked.

We are constantly told that innovation is the most important force in our economy, without which we would be left behind. But that fear of missing out has led us to fall into the false trappings of innovation over truly innovative ideas that may be simpler and more effective. This mindset implies that if you just buy the new thing, you have innovated! Each year, businesses and individuals run around like broken toy robots, trying to figure out their strategy for the latest buzzword equipment.

At best, this is a waste of resource. Devices are bought, used and abandoned, as the technology’s capabilities fall short of its promise. But at its worst, this approach can truly cause damage. Schools cut field trips to purchase tablets with few proven benefits. Companies that applied AI into hiring have actually strengthened gender and racial prejudices.

True innovation isn’t just some magic devices. It is a continuing process of reflection and reassessment, which often means adopting “old” ideas and tools in a new context, or even returning to methods that worked in the past. Adjusted properly, these rearview (后视的) innovations have proved as transformative as novel technologies.

Look no farther than the streets of New York, which have been redesigned recently to accommodate cyclists with car-free zones. The idea isn’t new. It was created half a century ago, with the aim of bringing cities back to their residents. And while e-reader sales have been exploding, Penguin just announced it would publish tiny printed books, an ideal solution for a market demanding both convenience and physicality.

1. Why is a librarian mentioned?

A．To set an example.	B．To cite an authority.
C．To make a prediction.	D．To present an argument.

2. What does the underlined “buzzword” mean in Para. 3?

A．Fashionable.

B．Affordable.

C．Practical.

D．Imaginative.

3. What does the writer agree with about innovation?

A．Innovation often leads to wasted resources and even damage.

B．Innovation is supported by new technology and magic devices.

C．Innovation reflects the progress of technology and economy.

D．Innovation is more about the way of thinking than equipment we use.

4. What is probably the best title of the text?

A．The key to success of business—innovation

B．Future Lies in returning to the past

C．Some best ideas are in the rearview mirror

D．Innovation: an important force in economy

【推荐1】As graduation draws near, those who haven’t landed a job yet may be desperate to find one. Perhaps some of the job offers they have received are below their skill and experience levels. Is it better to take these offers, or reject them and remain unemployed?
Recently, David Pedulla, a University of Texas sociologist, conducted a study about how taking a job below your skill level could affect your future employment.
In the study, Pedulla developed resumes for imaginary job applicants. The job seekers he created had a few things in common. They had a college degree, worked nearly two years at their first job, and about 4.5 years at their second job. What differed was their third job in the most recent year. They either had a full-time job that matched their skills, a part-time job below their skill levels, or were unemployed.
Then Pedulla submitted 2,420 resumes based on his imaginary job seekers, along with cover letters, to online ads for 1,210 real jobs. Each applicant had a real phone number that employers could contact if they were interested in talking with the applicant further.
The callback rates varied widely based on how the imaginary job seekers had spent their last year. The applicants who had full-time jobs the previous year were called back 10.4 percent of the time. Those whose most recent year of employment was in a job below their skill levels were only called back about 5 percent. Male applicants unemployed for a year were called back 4.2 percent of the time, while the figure is 7.5 percent for unemployed females.
However, Pedulla cautioned that the experiment only measured the initial interest of employers in his fictional job candidates, not whether the employers would hire them or what they would be paid based on their most recent job experiences.
1. The purpose of the first paragraph is ________ .

A．to lead in the topic

B．to present an argument

C．to shock the reader

D．to describe the present situation in job seeking

2. Which statement is NOT true about Pedulla’s experiment?

A．The applicants had some things in common at their first two jobs.

B．The applicants’ resumes and phone numbers are created by Pedulla.

C．The applicants’ most recent job experiences affected the callback rates.

D．Unemployed female applicants got a higher callback rate than males.

3. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．The applicants with a high callback rate would surely be hired.

B．The applicants’ most recent job experiences would decide their salaries.

C．There are some limits about what lessons can be taken from the study.

D．It is better to take a job offer below one’s skill level than to reject it.

4. In which section may the text appear in a newspaper?

A．Career	B．Science
C．Culture	D．Education

【推荐3】The US 2020 presidential election has captured people’s hearts around the world. In order to allow voters to vote in person, poll (投票站) workers need to work at different vote centers. In past elections, most poll workers were elderly, but now that they are more at risk of severe symptoms from COVID-19, there was a growing need for young people to serve as poll workers.

I first became aware of the opportunity to become a poll worker from a story from an Instagram account called “Poll Hero”. It mentioned a large-scale recruitment effort for young poll workers, and I immediately became interested in participating. I signed up to be a poll worker from the website.

After registering, there were two steps I had to take in order to become qualified to serve in this election. The first was an online training course. The course takes around three hours but can be completed in multiple sittings. It covers the different roles workers have, different procedures workers must follow and provides information on how to use tools such as the electronic pollbook. After taking the online course, I had to pass an exam with an 80 percent score or higher to complete that part of my certification. On my first attempt, I passed with a score of exactly 80 percent.

After passing the online course, I attended a two-hour in-person training course where I worked with a real electronic poll book to practice what I would do on Election Day. The instructor took us through many different scenarios (场景) where we practiced assisting different types of voters. I was pleased to see many fellow young people attend the session!

In total, I spent 37 hours helping voters vote during this election. With my mask on the entire time, I checked in voters and helped them use the ballot (投票) marking devices where they could cast their vote. I also loved meeting fellow workers who are passionate about being civically (谦恭地) engaged and helping our community. Taking part in this historic election is something I will never forget.

1. Why did the author decide to serve as a poll worker?

A．He was inspired by a Poll Hero volunteer.

B．Young poll workers were in huge demand.

C．He considered it his duty to help his community.

D．It was one of his school’s volunteering programs.

2. What do we know about the online training course?

A．It must be completed all at once.

B．It uses a lecture-style teaching method.

C．It offers those who pass the exam a service certification.

D．It requires participants to score at least 80 percent to pass.

3. What does Paragraph 4 mainly talk about?

A．What great difficulties the author ran into.

B．How the author cooperated with other young poll workers.

C．What the author had to perform in the in-person training class.

D．How the author assisted different types of voters on Election Day.

4. How did the author feel as a poll worker?

A．Exhausted.

B．Desperate.

C．Bored.

D．Proud.

【推荐1】When people in the U.S. have company or when they're invited to (formal or informal)get-together, they usually make a point of trying to make others feel comfortable and relaxed.On the whole, they tend to be informal. Men shake hands, but usually only when they're introduced. Male friends and business associate who haven't seen each other in a while may shake hands when they say hello. Women usually don't shake hands when being introduced to each other. When a woman and man are introduced, shaking hands is up to the woman. Americans rarely shake hands to say goodbye, except on business occasions. American women are used to being independent. They are used to going to places by themselves, making their own money, and often living alone. Sometimes they will ask men for help, but they usually don't want to be protected. Since the women's movement started, it's not always clear whether women expect men to open doors or help them into their coats. American women may start conversations with men or even ask them to dance.

There are a lot of Americans who don't smoke or drink, and many who don't want people to do those things in their houses. It's always best to ask for permission before you,bring alcohol to a dinner or before you light up a cigarette, if you are with people you don't know very well. Non-smokers have become more militant (好战的) about smoking in public places. Many restaurants, for example, have set up special areas for smokers.

House guests may bring gifts when they come to visit, and they often offer to help in some way. As a guest, you may want to ask your host or hostess if there's anything you can do to help in the kitchen. In many cases, the gesture is more important than actually helping.

1. "…the gesture is more important than actually helping." Here "gesture" means_________.

A．态度

B．话题

C．姿态

D．言行

2. When American people are introduced to each other, ____________.

A．men seldom shake hands	B．women often shake hands
C．a woman decides if she will shake hands with a man	D．a man decides if he will shake hands with a woman

3. ___________is not mentioned in the passage.

A．How to visit an American family	B．When American women's movement started
C．American women are independent	D．Non-smokers hate smoking in public places.

4. Which one is NOT right? ________________.

A．None of Americans want people to smoke or drink in their houses

B．Many Americans don’t smoke or drink

C．Many special areas for smokers have been set up in the US

D．It’s best to ask before you smoke in America

【推荐2】Thanksgiving Day is special holiday in the United States and Canada.     1    .

Thanksgiving Day is really a harvest festival. This is why it is celebrated in late fall, after the crops are in.     2    . On December 4, 1619, the Pilgrims from England landed near what is now Charles City, Virginia. They knelt down and thanked God for their safe journey across the Atlantic.

    3     The Pilgrims landed at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. They had a difficult time and the first winter was cruel. Many of the Pilgrims died. But the next year, they had a good harvest. So Governor Bradford declared a three-day feast (盛宴).     4     Everyone brought food.

In time, other colonies (殖民地) began to celebrate a day of thanksgiving. But it took years before there was a national Thanksgiving Day. During the Civil War, Sarah Josepha Hale persuaded Abraham Lincoln to do something about it.     5     Today, Americans celebrate this happy harvest festival on the fourth Thursday in November. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving Day in much the same way as their American neighbours. But the Canadian thanks-giving Day falls on the second Monday in October.

A．But one of the first thanksgivings in America had nothing to do with a good harvest.

B．He declared the last Thursday of November 1863 as a day of thanksgiving.

C．The Pilgrims were those who celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day.

D．Families and friends gather to eat and give thanks for their blessing.

E．The Pilgrims invited Indian friends to join them for their special feast.

F．This is why he decided to make it a national holiday throughout the U.S..

G．The first New England Thanksgiving did celebrate a rich harvest.

【推荐3】With hospitals and nursing homes tending to thousands of patients every year accidents can and do happen. These incidents whether they are through carelessness or otherwise, can leave patients feeling powerless. That’s not the case.

“There is growing public awareness. People are feeling they have more rights and they have tools in hand to make a complaint,” said Ralph Montano, spokesman for the California Department of Public Health, which regulates hospitals and long-term care facilities in the state.

That department received more than 6000 complaints about hospitals in 2007; in the most recent year statistics are available. The complaints can be about mixed-up lab results, medicine errors, foreign objects left in a patient during surgery or a host of other topic.

Similarly, the California department of Aging received 43,000 nursing home complaints in 2014. Some said patient abuse or neglect of patients; others reported missing items. And some commented on the quality of the food.

But finding the channels through them to put forward a complaint can be tiring and time consumption. Many consumers simply don’t bother, and some become lost in the system. Whether the complaint is against a hospital or a long-term care facility, the process is similar—and many people can help, including the facility’s staff, insurance company representatives and state regulators.

If you want to make a complaint while in the hospital, Patti Harvey, vice president of quality and patient care services for Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, recommends talking with the bedside nurse. If that doesn’t work, you can talk with other people higher in the chain of command, up to the hospital administrator. If the problem isn’t still taken care of—say you disagree with your treatment plan or have a problem with your doctor—member service offices at each hospital can help address your concerns.

1. Why are there more complaints from patients?

A．Because there are more departments to deal with complaints.

B．Because in the hospital there are more accidents than before.

C．Because it’s convenient for people to put forward complaints.

D．Because hospitals have more and more rights.

2. Many consumers don't make a complaint because ________.

A．complaints are bad for a long-term care facility

B．few accidents happen

C．many complaints are lost

D．it takes time to make a complaint

3. The last paragraph mainly tells us ________.

A．to solve problems with the hospital quickly

B．something about Patti Harvey

C．how to make complaints in the hospital

D．we should say we disagree with the treatment plan

4. Who can help if you complain against a hospital or a long-term care facility?

A．Jack—a representative of an insurance company.

B．Peter—a medical officer from the government.

C．Rudy—a headmaster of a medical university.

D．Tom—a teacher of a medical school.