【推荐1】We all love to take photographs. It's a simple way to snap a special moment, an amazing view, or just to show off your artistic skills. And it's great to look back through your photo albums and share memories with your friends. In fact, they show a snapshot（快照）in time. This hasn't really changed since the invention of photography in the 1830s. But one thing that has changed is the equipment we use.

For many years, we have used traditional cameras to take our pictures with. Our images were taken onto camera film which was then processed into negatives from which photos were printed— a lengthy process. And we've had a range of cameras to choose from— from the simple compact camera to more advanced single lens reflex, or SLR cameras.

But the biggest change has come with the development of digital devices. This has made taking photo quicker and easier. It's enabled us to take a snap and review our pictures instantly. We've been able to deal with them in post-production, using software on our computer. And of course, we've been able to share them like never before— particularly on social media.

Of course, now we have the smartphone— a phone that is, well, smart because it can take photos and sometimes very good quality ones, and we can share them easily. So does that mean the traditional camera will eventually become outdated? Figures from Japan show how the market is shrinking: shipments of compact digital cameras from companies like Olympus, Canon and Nikon were down 39 percent year on year.

But Phil Hall, editor of Tech Radar magazine, told the BBC that while people are swapping their compact cameras for smartphones, "manufacturers are looking at the more higher-end cameras, high-end compacts, DSLRs, which are the ones you can attach lenses to, mirrorless cameras. In this sense, there's nothing to worry about."

1. What does the underlined word "they" in Paragraph I refer to?

A．Private memories.	B．Photo albums
C．Artistic skills.	D．Photographs

2. What is the biggest challenge for traditional cameras?

A．Instant access to taking photographs.	B．Sharing moments on social media.
C．The development of digital technology.	D．Post-production of software on computer.

3. What is Phil Hall's attitude towards the future of traditional cameras?

A．Optimistic.

B．Negative.

C．Worried.

D．Uncertain.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．What a dilemma for cameras!	B．What can smartphones do for us?
C．Are smartphones killing cameras?	D．Camera producers survive the hard times

【推荐2】Contrary to “popular opinion”, the scientific pursuit for knowledge is not a predictable process. To make new discoveries, researchers need the freedom to be creative, fail, and learn by chance. This aspect is similar to art. This is why Wageningen scientists look to artists for inspiration and exchange ideas about how to increase creative freedom.

“Science and art are two different ways to make something understandable. They both provide a perspective on reality,” says Biochemistry Professor Dolf Weijers. “From the outside, the research process looks very formal and the artistic process looks somewhat messy. But the scientific process can also unfold in an unpredictable way.”

“Scientists can learn a lot from artists,” says Weijers. “Association and creativity are central to art. Those aspects require more attention in science as the creative process is the key of science.”

“As a scientist, you use different methods, but it is equally about how you visualize your understandings of reality and the connections between them. This is sometimes just as visual as art,” says Weijers. One example is a recent special project in which Weijers and his colleague Joris Sprakel, professor of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, measured the forces that act on plant cells. A molecular (分子的) sensor was used to visualize the different forces. They showed the results in colorful images, each representing a different force.

What science and art also have in common is that they are topics of discussion in society. There are people who say that they do not value art and people who mistrust science. Weijers says, “It often creates the wrong impression because only the results of scientific studies are presented, and people do not have any insight into the process leading to discovery. As a scientist, you are doubted if you say something that is different a few years later. Then you are viewed as unreliable. But what is often poorly understood is that there are no final results in science. What we scientists can achieve in the coming period is to provide more chances for people to focus on the process. Personally, I think that the connection with art can help to lead the focus on the process than the result.”

1. What does Dolf Weijers think of science process?

A．It is always serious.	B．It can’t be accidental.
C．It doesn’t allow failures.	D．It can be unexpected.

2. What does the underlined sentence “This is sometimes just as visual as art” in paragraph 4 mean?

A．Visualizing is a must for science.

B．Science can be visualized like art.

C．Science should be understood by visualizing.

D．Visualizing is as easy in science as in art.

3. Why do common people mistrust science in Dolf Weijers’ opinion?

A．Scientists usually draw unreliable conclusions.

B．Scientists don’t use visualizing to show the results.

C．The scientific process is unknown to them.

D．The scientific results are complex for the public.

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

A．Differences Between Science and Art

B．Similarities Between Science and Art

C．Scientists and Artists Contribute to the World

D．Science and Art Are Tools to Understand the World

【推荐3】If you are reading this, you were probably born in the 2000s. The oh-ohs. The 21st century. That would make you young, creative, connected, global, and no doubt smart. Maybe good-looking, too. Right? But what do other people think about your generation?

Some adults worry that you're more interested in the screen in front of you than the world around you. They think of you as the “face-down generation” because you use your phone so much and they wonder how you will deal with school, friends, and family. Are today's teenagers too busy texting and taking selfies to become successful in real life -or “TRI”, as you would say?

Other adults worry that today's youth are spoilt and don't want to face the challenges of adult life. Many children born in the 1990s and 2000s were raised by “helicopter parents”, who were always there to guide and help their children with a busy schedule filled with homework and after-class activities such as dancing, drawing, or sports. With parents who do everything for them, today's youth seem to prefer to live like teenagers even when they are in their 20s or 30s.

With these taken into account, does the face -down generation need a warning? Well, probably not.The fact is that many of today's teenagers are better educated and more creative than past generations. They seem to be enthusiastic and willing to be become leaders. More young people than ever volunteer to help their communities. There are also brave young people such as Malala Yousafzai, the teenager who won the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for pushing girls' rights to go to school.

So if you're one of the oh-ohs, there are reasons to be hopeful about the future. Things are looking up for the face down generation. Chances are that you will do GR8 (great) and LOL (laugh out loud).

1. Which of the following words cannot be used to describe the oh-ohs?

A．Creative.

B．Caring.

C．Ignorant.

D．Intelligent.

2. “Helicopter parents” mentioned in Paragraph 3 refer to__________.

A．parents who are rich and travel by helicopter.

B．parents who always watch over their children.

C．parents who have a very busy schedule.

D．parents who only turn up when necessary.

3. What can we learn from the passage?

A．The writer is a member of the face down generation.

B．The writer is optimistic about the future of the oh-ohs.

C．The oh-ohs are more good-looking than their parents.

D．The oh-ohs care about nothing other than their phones.

【推荐1】Virginia, 70, is a massage therapist(按摩治疗师)from Canada who recently decided to transform a 2016 Ford Transit into her new home and take to 24/7 van(厢式货车)life! After a client introduced her to a television series about tiny house living, Virginia thought, “I could do that!” And that’s exactly what she did! After 38 years as a massage therapist, Virginia watched this show and thought about retirement for the very first time.

She enlisted the help of her daughter and friends to put all the bits and pieces of the van together, but Virginia made sure to have a hand in almost every part of the process. You can see her personality woven throughout the van in features like the ceiling, wood quilted doors, and even the tiny space reserved for her massage table!

One of Virginia’s favorite parts of van life is the accepting community, regardless of how old you are or where you come from. “There are young people and older people and they all seem to accept one another because age isn’t the priority—it’s that we’re in a van life and we have that similarity, so it’s quite lovely”, Virginia said. “I love it.”

This was a future Virginia never expected, but she wouldn’t trade any of it! “You don’t know what you’re going to be doing in four or five days,” Virginia explained. “Someone can say to you, ‘Well, I’m going to Joshua Tree.’ And you go, ‘Joshua Tree! I never go to Joshua Tree.’ And that can be what you do next! I love that part of it.”

She hopes to encourage others not to let factors like age or “what if” questions keep them from running toward their goals. “Start! Don’t dream,” she said. “One foot in front of the other.”

Can we be Virginia when we grow up? What an incredible reminder that it’s never too late to pursue our dreams!

1. What does Para.1 tell us about Virginia?

A．She is a daring old woman.	B．She worked for Ford company.
C．She often watched television series.	D．She wanted to change her job.

2. What did Virginia do to adapt her van?

A．Asking help from workers.	B．Decorating the van according to her taste.
C．Having a big section left for her massage table.	D．Involving herself in the beginning of the process.

3. Which of the following best describes Virginia’s van life?

A．Dangerous.

B．Costly.

C．Fascinating.

D．Ambitious.

4. What can we learn from Virginia’s story?

A．Hard work pays off.	B．Run for dreams regardless of age.
C．It is never too late to travel.	D．Love breaks down barriers.

【推荐2】High­altitude rescue team has set new standards in the Himalayas this season, performing the highest altitude rescue ever completed. On May 19th, a rescue team successfully got a mountaineer from near Camp 3 at 23,000 feet on Everest (珠穆朗玛峰). The climber named Gautam nearly reached the top but became extremely exhausted and seriously dehydrated(脱水的).

After a difficult and dangerous rescue, the team was able to successfully save Gautam’s life.

In an interview with Moro, the pilot of the rescue team, he said, “You have to be prepared, technically, physically, and also mentally.” He added, “The aim wasn’t to set a record but to save someone’s life.”

The team has flown rescue tasks using Nepalese helicopters (直升机) for two years but had the idea to create a team with its own helicopter, which has been able to complete this season. The entire operation is privately financed, and according to Moro, “doesn’t cost the Italian or Nepalese tax­payer a single cent.” Moro also flies tasks for the local population for “free or at extremely reduced prices”.

Moro sees potential for the increasing number of high­altitude Himalayan rescue operations. In the future, he hopes to see more than one team, as well as a specialised team of climbers that would be able to perform rescues at altitudes and in weather conditions that are impossible for helicopters.

1. What can we infer about Gautam?

A．He is a lover for mountaineering.

B．He lost his life on Himalayas.

C．He ever reached the mountain top once.

D．He is a leader of a rescue team.

2. What is Moro like?

A．He can operate the helicopter technically.

B．He is generous and helpful to people.

C．He makes good preparations for mountaineering.

D．He is potential and wealthy.

3. What does the underlined word “financed” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Loved by many people.	B．Managed in a new way.
C．Supported with money.	D．Discovered by chance.

4. What’s the best title for the passage?

A．The Future of High­altitude Rescue Team

B．The Successful Flying Task on Himalayas

C．An Interview with an Italian Famous Rescue Team Leader

D．A Daring High­altitude Rescue on Everest Sets a Record

【推荐3】Three young American men were on a crowded train when they encountered a heavily armed terrorist. With little regard for their personal safety, they rushed the terrorist and controlled him. Only some people seem capable of this split-second form of heroism. Why some men rise to the occasion—and others don’t—has been a bit tricky to explain. Psychologists have explored this question through biological and personality psychology.

Of course, heroism and courage can appear in many forms, and men and women risk their reputations, health, and social standing to do what they think is right. When it comes to physically risky bravery, people assume that men will take the lead. There are sound biological reasons for this fixed image. One of the most common fears in men is that they’ll be outed as a coward (懦夫), and a man who fails to display physical courage will suffer damage to his reputation in a way that a woman will not. Throughout human history, attaining a position of high status or dominance among one’s peers (同龄人) has been the ticket that needs to get punched for men to attract mates and father children.

People tend to have an idea of what heroes are like. When rating the personalities of movie heroes, participants expected them to be more careful and hard-working, open to experience, agreeable, and emotionally stable than the average person. But some studies indicate that people who exhibit heroic behavior score high on personality usually associated with madmen: risk-taking, sensation seeking, coolness under stress, and a tendency to take over in social situations.

The study of the relationship between personality and heroism is at an early stage. Psychologists are still at a loss to predict in advance who will heroically step up when needed. Often, the hero is an otherwise ordinary person who finds himself in extraordinary circumstances. Meanwhile, some individuals trained to behave heroically might hesitate during a crisis. Future disasters will cry out for further acts of true heroism. Hopefully, the right mix of circumstances and personalities enable courage to carry the day.

1. How is the topic introduced in the first paragraph?

A．By giving an example.	B．By presenting a concept.
C．By making a comparison.	D．By drawing a conclusion.

2. What do the underlined words “get punched” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Be bought.

B．Be gifted.

C．Be obtained.

D．Be abandoned.

3. Why is it difficult to predict who will act heroically in a crisis?

A．Heroes and ordinary people are always difficult to tell apart.

B．Heroism is a phenomenon influenced by numerous factors.

C．Unknown circumstances play a crucial role in heroic acts.

D．Individual personality is not a reliable indicator of heroism.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．How Are Heroes Trained?	B．Why Are Heroes Important?
C．Who Are the True Heroes?	D．What Makes a Person Heroic?

【推荐2】Delvin Washington was having a difficult speech therapy (治疗). Over half a year ago, Washington was preparing for the biggest day of his young life ---graduating from high school. But on a cloudy day in May, he had a serious car accident. He survived, but his life changed forever. He recently began all-day physical rehabilitation (康复治疗). He is relearning almost everything, from the names of his best friends to simple physical tasks.
His friends and family have given him a lot of support. While Washington lay in a coma in hospital, friends and family filled his room during visits. They celebrated his 18th birthday in July while he was still unconscious.Two days after Thanksgiving, eight friends from high school visited Washington at his home. The friends looked through photos on Facebook, showing them all to Washington. As he sat in his wheelchair, friends asked him to recognize the people in the photos, helping him recover his brain.
Washington’s popularity doesn’t come from nowhere. He was determined to become a police officer after college and behaved like a respectable police officer at school.His high school principal (校长), Eric Markinson, said Washington was always a gentleman. “He was incredibly gracious (和善的) and incredibly helpful,”he said.
His accident has damaged Washington’s brain. It has caused his left side, from his face to his feet, to all but shut down. His personality has also changed. The serious police-officer behavior is gone. He laughs a lot and smiles when he sees children, his mom said.
Now Washington is working hard on all-day rehabilitation. So far, he has made tremendous (巨大的) improvement, said his therapist Lindsay Sims.“I try to live as independently as possible,”Washington said slowly but firmly.
1. What happened to Delvin Washington last May?

A．He started to make improvements in his speech therapy.

B．He was seriously injured in a car accident.

C．He graduated from high school with good grades.

D．He suffered a heart attack and went into a coma.

2. What can we know about Washington’s friends?

A．They helped Washington make up for the lesson s he had missed.

B．They worked together to collect money for Washington on campus.

C．They helped Washington realize his dream of becoming a police officer.

D．They regularly visited Washington and helped him with his rehabilitation.

3. Which word can best describe Delvin Washington?

A．strong—willed	B．energetic
C．pessimistic	D．depressed

4. What is the article mainly about?

A．Washington’s friendship with his friends.

B．Washington making great efforts to achieve his dream.

C．What makes Washington so popular at school.

D．How Washington is recovering his brain.

【推荐1】I think adults are affected by media, songs, and the Internet, and that is hard enough. After looking in all of the magazines and at models, my friends and I agree that our least favorite day of the year is when we wear swimsuits! It affects your whole mood and self-image for the day. Think about how hard it is for young girls if they believe “how hot you look” is how valuable you are.

Here are some ways parents can be proactive in encouraging a healthy self-image in their children.

First, teach what real value is. I think kids sometimes are confused about values. How valuable you are is not measured by how pretty you are on the outside and success is not measured by how famous you are. We were watching the Oscars and my 6-year-old son said “She is so pretty,” and then quickly looked at me and said “You are prettier, Mom.” And I said, “It’s okay. There are many people prettier than me on the outside. I know that’s not why you love me.” It is important to teach children this from an early age.

Second, tell your kids about “the grass is always greener syndrome.” It is very easy for all of us to see the glamour (魅力), whether it be in a famous singer or the most popular girl in the school. Do not dehumanize and judge famous people. Talk about what problems they might have that are different from the problems your child has and maybe some of the same struggles, like maybe wanting acceptance from peers (同龄人).

At last, use your mouth. Don’t be afraid to have conversations with your child about how they’re feeling about ads, songs, etc... Boys too! You are the parent! Kids of all ages want and need boundaries whether they admit it or not. Take a stand and have confidence enough not to be followers and not to purchase clothing, music, or magazines that you don’t believe sends the right message to your children!

1. What does the underlined word “It” in Paragraph 1 refer to?

A．Singing with friends.	B．Learning swimming skills.
C．Showing imperfect figures.	D．Reading fashion magazines.

2. The author’s son said “You are prettier, Mom” probably       .

A．to praise his mother	B．to comfort his mother
C．because he didn’t like stars	D．because he really thought so

3. What syndrome is mentioned in Paragraph 4?

A．Lots of people like judging others.

B．Kids want to be popular in school.

C．People tend to like famous singers.

D．People always think others’ life is better.

4. In the last paragraph, the author advises parents to       .

A．set limits for their kids

B．make friends with their kids

C．teach their kids how to be confident

D．encourage their kids to be themselves.

【推荐3】All parents know that one of their most important tasks is to prepare their children for an independent life, but any parent can tell you that it’s hard to let go of your children. That balance between keeping your children safe and allowing them to learn from their own mistakes can be heartbreaking. Years of experience means that parents often do know best, but on the other hand, the young, being less bound by tradition, are often more creative, more able to find new solutions to old problems. Revolutions are led by the young.

Good teachers make the growth of critical thinking easier in their students, only to find that this can lead to a questioning of the teachers’ basic beliefs. Schools encourage. parents to become involved, but are often embarrassed when parents have reservation about some of the educational methods being used. Governments encourage unimportant groups to empower themselves in order to participate fully in the development process. And they are often surprised when the new leaders of these groups turn around and attack the policies of that same government. The rebellious(叛逆的) young and the newly unimportant groups are important in social development. They are not necessarily representatives of those they want to represent or not realistic in their demands, but their voices must be heard.

Good parents know that just forbidding particular behaviors does not prevent their children from finding ways to engage in these forbidden activities. Indeed, sometimes the forbidden fruit is more inviting, just because it is not accepted by authority. Parents must work with their children to educate them on the facts, know as much as possible about the lives of their children, provide a good example, encourage more wholesome activities but also support their children when they don’t follow what is expected of them. But the most important point is that they also need to learn how to let go.

1. By saying “Revolutions are led by the young”, the author indicates that young people are more ________.

A．conventional	B．realistic
C．creative	D．heartbreaking

2. From the second paragraph we know ________.

A．teachers’ basic beliefs should be questioned by students

B．schools encourage parents to question their education methods

C．movement is satisfied with the new leaders’ attack on the policies

D．the voice of the rebellious young should be heard by the government

3. In order to educate children well, parents should ________.

A．forbid particular behaviors in their daily life

B．know them well and set a good example to them

C．educate them with facts and expect much of them

D．know as much as possible as their children

4. What is the best title of the passage?

A．Letting Go—for Children’s Independent life

B．Parents’ Tasks—in Children’s Development

C．Way of Growth—for the Young Groups

D．Teaching Methods—for Teachers and Schools