【推荐1】Imagine, one day, getting out of bed in Beijing and being at your office in Shanghai in only a couple of hours, and then, after a full day of work, going back home to Beijing and having dinner there.

Sounds unusual, doesn't it? But it's not that unrealistic, with the development of China's high-speed railway system. And that's not all. China has an even greater high-speed railway plan to connect the country with Southeast Asia, and eventually Eastern Europe. China is negotiating to extend its own high-speed railway network to up to 17 countries in 10 to 15 years, eventually reaching London and Singapore.

China has proposed three such projects. The first would possibly connect Kunming with Singapore via Vietnam and Malaysia. Another could start in Urumqi and go through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and possibly to Germany. The third would start in the northeast and go north through Russia and then into Western Europe. The new system would still follow China's high-speed railway standard. And the trains would be able to go 346 kilometers an hour, almost as fast as some airplanes. Of course, there are some technical challenges to overcome. There are so many issues that need to be settled, such as safety, rail gauge(轨距), maintenance of railway tracks. But the key issue is really money. China is already spending hundreds of billions of yuan on domestic railway expansion.

China prefers that the other countries pay in natural resources rather than with capital investment. Resources from those countries could stream into China to sustain development. It'll be a win-win project. For other countries, the railway network will definitely create more opportunities for business, tourism and so on, not to mention the better communication among those countries.

For China, such a project would not only connect it with the rest of Asia and bring some much-needed resources, but would also help develop China's far west. We foresee that in the coming decades, millions of people will migrate to the western regions, where the land is empty and resources unused. With high-speed trains, people will set up factories and business centers in the west once and for all. And they'll trade with Central Asian and Eastern European countries.

1. According to the passage, the greatest challenge to the new high-speed railway plan is ________.

A．technical issues	B．safety of the system
C．financial problems	D．maintenance of railway tracks

2. China's new high-speed railway plan will be a win-win project because ________.

A．China will get much-needed resources and develop its western regions

B．China and the countries involved will benefit from the project in various ways

C．China will develop its railway system and communication with other countries

D．the foreign countries involved will develop their railway transportation, business and tourism

3. Which of the following words best describes the author's attitude towards China's high-speed railway plan?

A．Critical.

B．Reserved.

C．Doubtful.

D．Positive.

4. Which of the following might be the best title for the passage?

A．New Railway Standards	B．Big Railway Dreams
C．High-speed Bullet Trains	D．International Railway Network

【推荐2】Traffic jam is a serious problem in cities worldwide. There are simply too many vehicles competing for too little space. The company TomTom, which does research on traffic in cities worldwide, estimated that in 2015 the average commuter (上下班往返的人) wasted 100 hours during the evening rush hour alone. In addition to wasting people’s time, traffic jams have many other negative effects.    1    

Traffic jams have negative effects on drivers, cities and the environment. To begin with, they cause stress to drivers, which may lead to health problems or road rage.     2     Traffic jams waste fuel, which in turn produce more carbon dioxide through car exhaust and contributes to the greenhouse effect.

    3    , it is important for cities and governments everywhere to take steps to reduce road jams. The most obvious solutions involve engineering. This means building more roads with wider lanes so that more cars can travel at the same time. However, the costs for engineering solutions are extremely high.

Therefore, a more popular solution is needed.     4    . For example, ferries, cycles and underground trains are included. One suggestion is to encourage people to cycle more. Although cycling has obvious health benefits and does not pollute the air, it is not practical in every climate and can prove dangerous in heavy traffic.

Overall, cities are using a variety of methods to deal with the problem of traffic jams.     5     We should encourage alternative forms of transport because they reduce the amount of traffic on the roads and also have a positive effect on the environment.

A．Because of these serious effects

B．Owing to inconveniences for some people

C．It would be to promote other forms of transport

D．Another possibility is to persuade people to use buses

E．Most of them have advantages as well as disadvantages

F．Moreover, traffic jams negatively affect the environment

G．Therefore, governments everywhere are working hard to find solutions to this problem.

【推荐3】It is quite reasonable to blame traffic jams, the cost of gas and the great speed of modern life, but manners on the road are becoming horrible. Everybody knows that the nicest man would become fierce tigers behind the wheel. It is all right to have a tiger in a cage, but to have one in the driver's seat is another matter.

Road politeness is not only good manners, but good sense. It takes the most cool-hearted drivers great patience to give up the desire to beat back when forced to face rude driving. On the other hand, a little politeness goes a long way towards reducing the possibility of quarrelling and fighting. A friendly nod or a wave, or thanks in answer to an act of politeness helps to create an atmosphere of good will and becomes so necessary in modern traffic conditions. But such behaviors of politeness are by no means enough. Many drivers nowadays don't even seem able to recognize politeness when they see it.

However, misplaced politeness can also be dangerous. Typical example is the driver who waves to a child crossing the street at a wrong place into the path of oncoming cars that may not be able to stop in time. The same goes for encouraging old ladies to cross the road wherever and whenever they want to.

An experienced driver, whose manners are faultless, told me it would help if drivers learnt to correctly join in traffic stream without causing total jams that give rise to unpleasant feelings. Unfortunately, modern drivers can't even learn to drive, let alone master the roadmanship(驾车技能). Years ago, experts warned us that the fast increase of the car ownership would demand more give-and-take from all road users. It is high time that all of us took this message to heart.

1. According to the writer, a good driver should __________.

A．beat back when forced to face rude driving

B．be able to recognize politeness when he sees it

C．join in traffic stream quickly however other people feel

D．encourage children to cross the roads whenever they want to

2. Troubles on the road are often caused by _______.

A．great speed	B．traffic jams
C．terrible road conditions	D．the behaviors of the drivers

3. It is not always right for drivers to ________.

A．master roadmanship	B．create atmosphere of good will
C．encourage old ladies to cross the road	D．give a friendly nod to show politeness

4. What's the best title of the passage above?

A．Road Politeness	B．Traffic Jams
C．Good Manners	D．Modern Drivers

【推荐1】The widespread use of Internet technology has made our lives easier but causes a big challenge to senior citizens(长者), who are not always comfortable with smartphones and so many new apps.

Only a few senior citizens are able to enjoy the benefits that new technologies offer. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the number of people aged 60 and above was 253.88 million in 2019, about 18.1% of China's population. But only 23%of the senior citizens were able to use the Internet. That means more than three-fourths of the elderly are deprived (剥夺) of the digital benefits.

Many senior citizens who can't use smartphones are facing difficulties during this pandemic (流行病). Even with a smartphone in hand and Internet available, many of them still feel helpless. They don't know how to call a taxi through the apps. There have been reports of many shops turning away elders who don't know how to pay using smartphones, instead of letting them pay with cash. Worse still, as they don't know how to get the Internet-based health code (健康码), they are refused to enter many public places. Presenting individual health code is part of the epidemic prevention (防疫) and control measures.

New technologies become popular because they are often of great use in our daily lives. But many senior citizens, especially those living in the country-side or those whose grown-up children don't live with them, are not able to use the Internet or smart-phones, either because of financial (经济的) problems or because they cannot learn new things beyond a certain point. The digital gap between the elderly and the young is becoming more obvious.

However, the senior citizens should not become a silent group deprived of digital benefits. It is our responsibility to help them bridge the digital gap, and be patient with them when they face difficulties catching up.

1. What do the statistics show in Paragraph 2?

A．There are a small number of senior citizens in China.

B．Only 23% of the senior citizens can use the computer.

C．Three fourths of the eldly are unwilling to use smartphones.

D．Many elders fail to enjoy the convenience of the digital devices.

2. What does the author try to tell us?

A．Cash is no longer accepted in most shops.	B．It's a must for everyone to have a health code.
C．Most elders need guidance on how to use the apps.	D．Many shops now refuse to offer service to the elderly.

3. The elderly can't enjoy digital benefits for the following reasons EXCEPT _________.

A．their living areas	B．their financial conditions
C．their relationship with children	D．their difficulty in learning new things

4. What's the author's proposal to change the current situation of the senior citizens?

A．They should not use modern technology.	B．They should keep silent using digital products.
C．The young should help them patiently.	D．The young should persuade them to pay with cash.

【推荐2】Every year Chris Brogan posts his three words for a new year. Many others and I have followed his lead for the past three or four years. They helped me a lot. My words for last year were“passion”, “focus”and“delegate”and I stayed true to them. This year, 2013, my goals are more personal and less professional.
FOCUS
Focus is making a repeat appearance on my list this year because I’m too much of a multitasker. The problem is that I have trouble finishing one thing with so many things calling me. When I was working as a writer, all my projects were handled via a schedule, I’m putting a fitness and housekeeping routine into my schedule.
HEALTH
I get so busy taking care of everyone else, and I forget to take care of myself and this has to change. My health suffers and my weight suffers. I have to get my health in check, not only for me but because I promised my 9-year-old son. I’ll make good food and lifestyle choices. I miss being thin, and it’s time to get it back.
CELEBRATE
What good is having it if I’m not taking time to enjoy it? I have a wonderful job, a happy family, and so much to be thankful for. So how come I spend all my time working? Last summer my family took our first vacation in four years, the best thing I’ve done for myself and my family in a long time. This year, I’m making sure to take time to enjoy life and celebrate its many blessings.
Do you have any words for 2013?
1. The underlined word “multitasker” probably refers to a person who　　　.

A．makes a living by writing

B．always fails to finish a task on time

C．has several things to do at the same time

D．pays more attention to fitness and housekeeping

2. Why does the writer have“HEALTH”as one of his three words?

A．He wants to take better care of others.

B．He’s gaining weight and feeling bad.

C．He did not take any exercise in the past.

D．He got the idea from his son.

3. What can we learn from the passage?

A．The word“CELEBRATE”can remind the writer to enjoy life.

B．The writer has a vacation with his family every four years.

C．The word“FOCUS”can help the writer focus on his family.

D．The writer used to be overweight for lack of exercise.

4. The best title for the passage might be　　　.

A．Three Words for 2013

B．Health Should Go First

C．Keep Organized

D．Goals for 2013

【推荐1】I want to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association because we all know the press is under siege these days. We also know it’s the insatiable dedication to uncovering the absolute truth that keeps us from turning a blind eye to corruption and to injustice. To tyrants and victims, and secrets and lies. I want to say that I value the press more than ever before as we try to navigate these complicated times, which brings me to this: what I know for sure is that speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have. And I’m especially proud and inspired by all the women who have felt strong enough and empowered enough to speak up and share their personal stories. Each of us in this room are celebrated because of the stories that we tell, and this year we became the story.

But it’s not just a story affecting the entertainment industry. It’s one that transcends any culture, geography, race, religion, politics, or workplace. So I want tonight to express gratitude to all the women who have endured years of abuse and assault because they, like my mother, had children to feed and bills to pay and dreams to pursue.

They’re the women whose names we’ll never know. They are domestic workers and farm workers. They are working in factories and they work in restaurants and they’re in academia, engineering, medicine, and science. They’re part of the world of tech and politics and business.

They’re our athletes in the Olympics and they’re our soldiers in the military.

And there’s someone else. Recy Taylor, a name I know and I think you should know, too. In

1944. Recy Taylor was a young wife and mother walking home from a church service she’d attended in Abbeville, Alabama, when she was abducted by six armed white men, raped, and left blindfolded by the side of the road coming home from church.

They threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone, but her story was reported to the NAACP where a young worker by the name of Rosa Parks became the lead investigator on her case and together they sought justice. But justice wasn’t an option in the era of Jim Crow. The men who tried to destroy her were never persecuted.

Recy Taylor died ten days ago, just shy of her 98th birthday. She lived as we all have lived, too many years in a culture broken by brutally powerful men. For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dare speak the truth to the power of those men. But their time is up. Their time is up.

And I just hope that Recy Taylor died knowing that her truth, like the truth of so many other women who were tormented in those years, and even now tormented, goes marching on. It was somewhere in Rosa Parks’ heart almost 11 years later, when she made the decision to stay seated on that bus in Montgomery, and it’s here with every woman who chooses to say, “Me too.” And every man who chooses to listen.

In my career, what I’ve always tried my best to do, whether on television or through film, is to say something about how men and women really behave. To say how we experience shame, how we love and how we rage, how we fail, how we retreat, persevere and how we overcome.

I’ve interviewed and portrayed people who’ve withstood some of the ugliest things life can throw at you, but the one quality all of them seem to share is an ability to maintain hope for a brighter morning, even during our darkest nights.

So I want all the girls watching here, now, to know that a new day is on the horizon! And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say “Me too” again.

1. According to Paragraph 1, why is the press more important than ever before？

A．The press can help spread the news among the public.

B．the press is meant to educate people about important values.

C．The press allows people to share stories with each other.

D．The press can help uncover the truth in these tough times.

2. What can be inferred about women from Paragraph 2 and 3？

A．They are part of the world of tech and politics and business.

B．Their contributions have long been recognized.

C．They have sacrificed a lot for their families and dreams.

D．they are always successful in their career.

3. From the passage, we can safely conclude that Rosa Parks is a/an _________ lady.

A．trustworthy

B．determined

C．ambitious

D．stubborn

4. In the last paragraph, the speaker hopes for a new day when _________.

A．every man and woman can really enjoy equality.

B．girls will grow into magnificent women.

C．every body can speak up “Me too”.

D．every man can take the lead in fighting for equal rights.

【推荐2】Imagine you went to a restaurant with a date: had a burger, paid with a credit card, and left. The next time you go there, the waiter or waitress, armed with your profile data, greets you with, “Hey Joe, how are you? Mary is over there in the seat you sat in last time. Would you like to join her for dinner again?” Then you find out that your burger has been cooked and your drink is on the table. Forget the fact that you are with another date and are on a diet that doesn’t include burgers. Sound a little bizarre? To some, this is restaurant equivalent of the Internet. The Net’s ability to profile you through your visits to and interactions at websites provides marketers with an enormous amount of data on you—some of which you may not want them to have.

Are you aware that almost every time you access a website you get a “cookie”? Unfortunately, it’s not the Mrs. Reid’s type. A cookie on the Internet is a computer code sent by the site to your computer—usually without your knowledge. During the entire period of time that you are at the site, the cookie is collecting information about your interaction, including where you visit, how long you stay there, how frequently you return to certain pages, and even your electronic address. Fill out a survey to collect free information or samples and marketers know even more about you—like your name, address, and any other information you provide. While this may sound scary enough, cookies aren’t even the latest in technology. A new system called I-librarian Alexa—named for the legendary third century B.C. library in Alexandria, Egypt- does even more. While cookies track what you are doing at one site, Alexa collects data on all your Web activity, such as which sites you visit next, how long you stay there, whether you click on ads, etc. All this information is available to markets, who use it to market more effectively to you. Not only do you not get paid for providing the information, you probably don’t even know that you are giving it.

1. In the restaurant story, the author may most probably think the waiter or waitress to be ________.

A．considerate	B．well-mannered
C．annoying	D．incredible

2. The author makes up the restaurant story in order to ________.

A．show the good service offered in some Web restaurants

B．criticize some restaurants for too considerate service

C．show the Internet s ability to collect data on you

D．prove the great power of the Internet

3. What can be learned about “Alexa” from the second paragraph?

A．Alexa is named after an ancient hero in Egypt.

B．Alexa is installed in libraries.

C．Alexa can collect all the necessary data on you.

D．Alexa can provide more data for marketers than a cookies.

4. Which of the following words can best reflect the authors’ attitude to cookies and Alexa?

A．Critical.	B．Suspicious.
C．Objective.	D．Optimistic.

【推荐3】Over the past few years I've had an uncomfortable sense that someone, or something, has been making changes to my brain. I'm not thinking the way I used to think. I can feel it most strongly when I'm reading. Involving myself in a book or a lengthy article used to be easy. That's rarely the case anymore.

I think I know what's going on. For over a decade, I've been spending lots of time online. The Web has been a godsend to me as a writer. Research that once required days in the rooms of libraries can now be done in minutes by a few Google searches. Even when I'm not working, I'm scanning headlines or just tripping from link to link.

The Net is becoming a universal medium where information flows through my eyes and ears and into mind. The perfect recall of silicon memory can be a blessing to thinking. But that comes at a price. As the media theorist Marshall Mcluhan pointed out, media are not just passive channels of information. They supply the staff of thought, but they also shape the process of thought. And what the Net seems to be doing is weakening my ability for concentration. Once I was a driver in the sea of words. Now I zip along the surface like a flying swallow.

I'm not the only one. When I mention my troubles with reading to acquaintances, Bruce Friedman, a blogger, also has described how the Internet has changed his mental habits. His thinking has taken on a “staccato” quality. “I can't read War and Peace anymore,” he admitted. “I've lost the ability to do that.”

A recently published study suggests that when reading online, we tend to become "more decoders of information. We are not only what we read; we are how we read.

1. According to the passage, the author thinks _______.

A．the Net is merely a headache

B．he can no longer die but swim shallowly

C．the deep reading in the past has become a struggle

D．other people around rarely have similar feelings like him

2. What is the author's attitude towards the Internet?

A．Thoroughly passive.	B．Totally puzzled.
C．Gladly approving.	D．Evidently worried.

3. From the passage, the more people use the Web,_______ .

A．the more mental habits can be improved	B．the more they have to fight to stay focused
C．the more they are influenced in shape	D．the more online activities they can enjoy

4. Which of the following can best summarize the text?

A．Is the Net gradually changing us?

B．Long articles are hard to read nowadays.

C．Do people lack concentration to cover Web pages?

D．More Web involvement results from attention distraction.