【推荐1】There is hope for our planet’s survival. Innovative products are being designed to reduce our dependence on plastic, single-use plastic in particular.

One such innovation comes from international design firm Carlo Ratti Associati with its “Feel the Peel” machine, an experimental rounded juice bar that not only makes freshly squeezed orange juice, but also 3D prints a recyclable bio plastic cup with the leftover orange peels (果皮) .

Designed with global energy company Eni. the juicer is 10 feet tall and topped with a massive dome (圆顶), feeding the juicer with oranges on demand. The dome is mad cup of round tracks that holdup to 1, 500 oranges. A 3D printer is setup in the base of the machine.

The machine goes like magic. When an order is placed, the oranges slide down the tracks to a squeezer, and the juice is then deposited (使沉积) into an “orange peel” bio-plastic cup, ready to enjoy. Meanwhile, the freshly squeezed peels fall down a tube and gather at the bottom of the machine where they are dried, milled and mixed with Poly lactic Acid, creating a bio plastic material The bio plastic is then heated and melted into a filament (细丝) and the 3D printer then creates recyclable bioplastic cups, ready to be filled with freshly squeezed juice.

How cool that is! It seems that Carlo Ratti Associati and Eni have plans to take “Feel the Peel” beyond just orange juice.

“The principle of recycling is a must for today’s objects,” says Carlo Ratti, “Working with Eni, we tried to show recycling in a very tangible way, by developing a machine that helps us to understand how oranges can be us cd well beyond their juice. The next improvement of “Feel the Peel” might include new functions, such as printing fabric for clothing from orange peels.”

1. What can we know about “Feel the Peel” machine?

A．It increases the output of orange juice.

B．It makes something beyond orange juice.

C．It makes orange juice taste better.

D．It bans the use of single-use plastic.

2. What is the main idea of Paragraph 4?

A．The reason for the machine’s popularity.

B．The structure of the machine.

C．The way the machine works.

D．The way to use the machine.

3. What is Carol’s attitude to the future of the machine?

A．Pessimistic.

B．Cautious.

C．Positive.

D．In different.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．A New Form of Orange Peels

B．Orange Juicer 3D Prints Bioplastic Cups

C．Innovative Products Are Being Designed

D．Carlo Invents A Recyclable Machine

【推荐3】Long, long ago people couldn’t write and they had no books. But they had stories. People learned the stories by heart and taught new ones to one another. Sometimes it was hard to remember them all.     1    

The ancient Egyptians wrote their stories on something made from papyrus (纸沙草) plants. People in other places wanted to learn from the Egyptians to use papyrus.

    2     So, parchment (羊皮纸), made from goatskin, later took its place.

In ancient China books looked a little different. People there used ink to write on bamboo or silk. And then they invented paper. Made of trees, paper was easier and cheaper to make than papyrus or parchment.    3     Paper-making later spread to the West, but there was a big problem with these early books. Every single one had to be copied and written by hand.

    4     They carved (雕刻) a page of words into a piece of wood or stone. They could then print the page by spreading ink on the wood or stone and putting it against paper. But it wasn’t until a German printer invented movable, metal letters that books became fast and easy to make. The letters could be used to print copy after copy, and the letters put together again and again to print different pages of words.

    5     Once a luxury (奢侈品) only the rich could buy, they soon became a treasure everyone could enjoy.

A．It took years to finish making just one book.

B．But papyrus grew mainly in Egypt.

C．Things grew a little easier when writing was invented.

D．Finally books could be printed by the thousands.

E．The Chinese were the first to think of a way to speed things up a little.

F．Books in the West didn’t change for a long time after that.

G．Its surface was smoother and better for writing on too.

【推荐1】The hotel on the moon may be just a few decades away, as the European Space Agency (ESA) is advising building a lunar vacation spot. This "Lunar Village" would be the first structure of its kind, a unique achievement for Europe, and the human race in general.

The Lunar Village would likely be built near the poles of the moon where water ice is trapped at the bottom of dark holes. Such places would not only provide water for the tourists, but would also allow for constant daylight, unlike other locations on the lunar surface. Visitors would wear normal clothing while inside the hotel, putting on spacesuits when out on the lunar surface.

The plan suggests that this hotel could house scientists and prospectors (勘探者) along with the next generation of space tourists. Construction of the facility would largely be financed by Russia, together with contributions from China, Japan and India.

ESA managers are warning the public of space travel dangers, including extreme temperatures and radiation from the sun.

By 2030, it may be possible to construct a base on the moon, providing a supply station for space travelers on their journeys to Mars or other locations in the solar system, space engineers predicted

"The ESA space exploration strategy sets the moon as a priority destination for humans on the way to Mars, and the recent talk of a "Moon Village" certainly has spread a lot of positive energy in Europe." said Kathy Laurini of NASA's Exploration Roadmap Working Group.

Although such a base is possible, there are no dates set yet for the public opening. Tourists wishing to visiting the moon can afford to wait to pack their bags-rockets taking passengers to the lunar surface are not leaving anytime soon.

1. What would you do if you could live in the "village"?

A．You could live the same life as on the earth.

B．You should put on spacesuits when you're out.

C．You would live a life without much light.

D．You would wear special clothes all the time.

2. What does the underlined word "financed" in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．Saved.

B．Controlled.

C．Supported.

D．Influenced.

3. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A．New Exploration of the Moon

B．Moon Village Is Waiting for Visitors

C．European Space Agency Built a Hotel

D．Prepare For a Holiday on the Lunar Village

【推荐2】Don’t miss out on student competitions available from NASA.Check this page often for new additions.

NASA Earth & Space Air Prize

Audience:Higher Education Students

Registration Deadline:Dec.13,2020

The competition asks individuals to design and develop sensors(探测装置) useful in spaceflight as well as on Earth.Three finalists will receive $50,000 each to build a functioning sensor according to their suggestions.The winner will receive a $100,000 award.

Future Engineers:Two for the Crew Challenge

Audience:K12 Students

Registration Deadline:Dec.19,2020

Use your head to create a tool that combines the functions of two objects already being used by crew aboard the International Space Station!Visit the Challenge Website to find out about space station tools and to get brainstorming resources to help you create a design.The site provides links to free 3D design software.The winning design will be 3D printed on the station.Prizes include “3D Printing in Space” prize packs,a 3D printer for your school and a trip to Washington D.C.!

Mission X:Train Like an Astronaut—Walk to the Moon Challenge

Audience:All Educators and Students,Home School Parents and Afterschool Groups

Registration Deadline:Dec.31,2020

Mission X encourages children of all ages to seek healthy lifestyles based on training like an astronaut.Mission X is challenging fit explorers around the world to work together to perform activities in which all will move online mascot(吉祥物) Astro Charlie the 478 million steps required to walk from the Earth to the moon!That’s 238,857 miles,or 384,403 kilometres!The challenge starts in January.Visit the website for full challenge details.

1. Who is NASA Earth & Space Air Prize most likely intended for?

A．High school students.

B．Home school parents.

C．College students.

D．College educators.

2. What can we know about the“Mission X”?

A．It kicks off in the year of 2020.

B．It aims to find potential astronauts.

C．It allows of an experience of flying.

D．It provides participants with cash prizes.

3. What’s the purpose of this passage?

A．To call on people to visit NASA.

B．To stress the importance of creativity.

C．To introduce the development of NASA.

D．To attract people to NASA competitions.

【推荐3】From self-driving cars to carebots for elderly people, rapid development in technology has long represented a possible threat to many jobs normally performed by people. But experts now believe that almost 50 percent of occupations existing today will be completely unnecessary by 2025 as artificial intelligence continues to change businesses.

"The next fifteen years will see a revolution in how we work, and a revolution will necessarily take place in how we plan and think about workplaces," said Peter Andrew, Director of Workplace Strategy for CBRE Asia Pacific.

A growing number of jobs in the future will require creative intelligence, social skills and the ability to use artificial intelligence.

The report is based on interviews with 200 experts, business leaders and young people from Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. It shows that in the US technology already destroys more jobs than it creates.

But the report states: "Losing occupations does not necessarily mean losing jobs-just changing what people do." Growth in new jobs could occur as much, according to the research.

"The growth of 20 to 40 person companies that have the sped and technological know—how will directly challenge big companies," it states.

A report by Pew Research found 52 percent of experts in artificial intelligence and robotics were optimistic about the future and believed there would still be enough jobs in the next few years. The optimists' pictured "a future in which robots do not take the place of more jobs than they create," according to Aaron Smith, the report's co-author.

"Technology will continue to affect jobs, but more jobs seem likely to be created. Although there have always been unemployed people, when we reached a few billion people, there were billions of jobs. There is no shortage of things that need to be done and that will not change," Microsoft's Jonathan Grudin told researchers.

1. We can infer from the text that in the future

A．people will face many difficulties	B．people will take up more creative jobs
C．artificial intelligence will threaten people's lives	D．most jobs will be done in traditional workplaces

2. According to the report, ____________.

A．people won't necessarily lose jobs

B．big companies will face fewer challenges

C．small companies will win against big companies

D．most people will become interested in technology

3. What is the attitude of most experts in artificial intelligence and robotics to the future?

A．Mixed.

B．Worried.

C．Optimistic.

D．Doubtful.

4. Jonathan Grudin's words in the last paragraph suggest that___________

A．there will be enough jobs for people	B．things will change a lot in a few years
C．many people will become unemployed	D．technology will totally change future jobs

5. What is the best title for the text?

A．Are People Losing Their Jobs?	B．The Requirements for Future Life
C．The Challenging Life in the Future	D．Does Technology Simplify Everything

【推荐1】Cory Nichols’ whole life changed after he watched the documentary (纪录片) Hard Times: Lost on Long Island. This documentary follows four different families over six months as they struggle with unemployment. Cory knew he had to help any way that he could.

He founded an organization named “C the Difference”. The first step of his charity was to advertise. Using his own money, Cory had orange bracelets (手链) made. Now, he has sold the bracelets. A lot of people who are willing to donate bought them. “We’ve gotten donations from $5 to $500,” Cory said. “Every dollar really helps.”

Since founding the organization “C the Difference”, Cory has gotten the word out through e-mail and social media. He has managed to get upwards of $7,500, and the amount will keep rising each month. For Cory, his work is truly rewarding, and he loves knowing that people less fortunate than him are really benefiting from all the donations. Once he said, “I was in the pantry (食品室) one time when a woman was taking food, and she was grateful for what I was doing. That made me feel great.”

Cory’s work has been truly remarkable. These past years he was recognized for “C the Difference” and was a recipient (获得者) of the New York State Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Cory was honored when he found out the news, and even more shocked when he found out that he was one of only 102 winners out of the 28,000 applicants. As a recipient, Cory got to travel to Washington D.C. with the other winners.

There are bright things in Cory’s future. First, he wants to keep doing well in school. “I think school is really important to be successful in life.” In addition, Cory wants to keep “C the Difference” going through high school. “I am continuing to get donations, and to get younger kids and my peers involved to help each month.”

1. After watching the documentary, Cory ________.

A．set up a charity organization	B．found a job in Long Island
C．donated money immediately	D．felt the documentary interesting

2. Cory tried to raise enough money by ________.

A．wearing a ring and a bracelet	B．phoning to his friends
C．spreading the word out	D．collecting from his classmates

3. Cory felt ________ after he knew he was given an award.

A．embarrassed and surprised

B．interested and delighted

C．honored and shocked

D．ashamed and frightened

4. We can infer from the passage that Cory will ________.

A．travel in Long Island alone	B．stop raising money
C．study in Washington	D．go on his charity

【推荐2】A team of engineers at Harvard University is trying to create the first robotic fly. Designed to do what a fly does naturally, the tiny machine is the size of a fat housefly. Its mini wings allow it to stay in the air and perform controlled flight tasks.

“The added difficulty with a project like this is that actually none of its components(部件) is off the shelf and so we have to develop them all on our own,” said Robert Wood, a Harvard engineering professor.

They engineered a series of systems to start and drive the robotic fly. “The seemingly simple system which just moves the wings has a number of interdependences(相互依赖) on the individual components, each of which individually has to perform well, but then has to be matched well to everything it’s connected to,” said Wood.

While this first robotic flyer is linked to a small off-board power source, the goal is eventually to equip it with a built-in power source, so that it might someday perform data-gathering work at rescue sites, in farmers’ fields or on the battlefield.

Wood says the design offers a new way to study flight mechanics and control at insect-scale. Yet, the power, sensing and computation technologies on board could have much broader applications. “You can start thinking about using them to answer open scientific questions, you know, to study biology in ways that would be difficult with the animals, but using these robots instead, he said. So there are a lot on technologies and open interesting scientific questions that are really what drives us on a day to day basis.”

1. What is the typical characteristic of the robotic fly?

A．It’s automatic.	B．It’s quite powerful.
C．It’s controllable.	D．It’s very small.

2. We can infer from the passage that the robotic flyer can.

A．help do farm work	B．act as a spy plane
C．fly at a very high speed	D．answer many scientific questions

3. What is Wood’s idea about the robotic fly according to the last paragraph?

A．It has wide practical applications.

B．It is highly questionable.

C．It gives scientists interest in flying machines.

D．It points to a new direction in studying biology.

4. What can be the best title for the passage?

A．Harvard’s Study in the Field of Insects

B．Robotic Fly—a Copy of Real Life Insect

C．An Interesting Invention—Robotic Fly

D．A Breakthrough in Engineering Science

【推荐3】Which do you think is the best way to keep healthy?
With the development of the society, people no longer worry about where their next meal comes from as they did in the old days. They become more and more concerned about their health problem. Different people come up with different views: eating green food, doing outdoor exercises or going to hospital for medical treatment frequently. As far as I am concerned, the best way to keep healthy is to develop a good quality of psychology(心理).
According to some surveys, nowadays, most patients are not physically sick but mentally(精神上) ill. They feel the burden on their shoulders is much heavier than others, so they can’t step out of the shadow of depression and sadness. They need to release their spirit to the nature.
Besides, if you have developed a good quality of psychology, you’ll become more sociable and thus more willing to play your part in the society. Joining in some keep-fit clubs or attending some travel agency, which by themselves are various versions of physical exercise, will benefit you a lot.
As a poem says, youth is not a period of time; it’s a state of mind. Everybody wants to keep young at heart because youth is a symbol for endless energy and passion for living.
Keep a good quality of mind, or keep a sense of humour, even if you are 80, and you’ll never be old.
1. According to the passage, in the old days, what people cared most might be _____.

A．food

B．exercising

C．clothing

D．health

2. According to the writer, the best way to keep healthy is to _____.

A．have meals regularly	B．do outdoor exercises
C．go to hospital frequently	D．keep psychological health

3. The most probable reason for patients who are mentally ill might be ____.

A．burden

B．depression

C．sadness

D．spirit

4. The best way to develop a good quality of psychology might be ____.

A．taking social responsibility	B．exercising in a keep-fit club
C．going on journeys	D．taking physical exercise

5. The key point to keep young is to _____.

A．keep exercising	B．keep a young heart
C．keep humourous	D．keep a proper diet