What distinguishes an outstanding city? The Global Cities Index assesses cities based on diverse criteria, including:
·Business – The presence of multinational corporations. How many global companies are in the city? Does the city do a lot of international business?
·People – The city’s ability to attract talents globally. Does the city attract talented people from around the world? What’s proportion of residents with higher education?
·Media – The accessibility of varied information channels. How many residents have Internet access?
·Entertainment – The availability of leisure and cultural activities. Does the city have many entertainment options: museums, sports, music, and different types of restaurants?
Future Leaders
Most cities on the Global Cities Index are strong in certain areas. Beijing’s strength, for example, is business, while Los Angeles’s strength is people. Which cities will become more powerful in the future?
·Asia: Beijing and Shanghai are both business centers and will continue to grow. In a few years, they will potentially match New York’s influence. Indian cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi have a lot of business potential, too.
·South America: urban centers like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil will gain influence. In these cities, the middle class is growing, and life for many people is improving.
·The Middle East: Istanbul in Turkey, Cairo in Egypt, and the cities of the United Arab Emirates such as Dubai will hold more power in international politics and business, especially in helping East and West work together.
In 10 years, the top cities on the index may be different, but one thing is certain: With over 50 percent of the world’s people now living in urban areas, tomorrow’s global cities will be more powerful than ever.
1. Which aspect is considered in the Global Cities Index?| A．Education. | B．Climate. | C．Transportation. | D．Location |
| A．Asia and Europe. | B．Asia and South America. |
| C．Asia and the Middle East. | D．South America and the Middle East. |
| A．Similarities between top cities. | B．The ways to become global cities. |
| C．Daily life in fastest-growing cities. | D．Forecast on future influential cities. |
相似题推荐
【推荐1】My house is made of wood, glass and stone. It is also made of software.
If you come to visit, you’ll probably be surprised when you come in. Someone will give you an electronic PIN to wear. This PIN tells the house who and where you are. The house uses this information to give you what you need. When it’s dark outside, the PIN turns on the lights nearest you, and then turns them off as you walk away from them. Music moves with you too. If the house knows your favorite music, it plays it. The music seems to be everywhere, but in fact other people in the house hear different music or no music. If you get a telephone call, only the nearest telephone rings.
Of course, you are also able to tell the house if you want something. There is a home control console (控制台), a small machine that turns things on and off around you, which is in fact a computer.
The PIN and the console are new ideas, but they are in fact like many things we have today. If you want to go to a movie, you need a ticket. If I give you my car keys, you can use my car. The car works for you because you have the keys. My house works for you because you wear the PIN or hold the console.
I believe that several years from now on, most new homes will have the systems that I’ve put in my house. The systems will probably be even bigger and better than the ones I’ve put in today.
1. The writer’s house is NOT made of ________.| A．bricks | B．wood | C．glass | D．software |
| A．How to develop a new system. | B．The function of the PIN. |
| C．A home for the future. | D．Easy life in the future. |
| A．Because it has your favourite music following you. |
| B．Because you can make a telephone call anywhere. |
| C．Because the writer is able to change his new idea into practice. |
| D．Because it has been controlled by computers. |
| A．An IT expert. | B．A famous engineer. |
| C．A game player. | D．An experienced teacher. |
【推荐2】What makes us human？Is it our thoughts？Our emotions？Our behavior？
All of these things make us who we are，but at the center of it all lies the genome — the genes inside our bodies that determine everything from our hair color to our intelligence. But if we could change our genome，would we still be human？
Recently，a group of scientists from the US and South Korea worked together to successfully“edit”a human embryo（胚胎）and remove a genetic mutation（变异）that would have led to heart disease. This was achieved with the help of CRISPR-a gene — editing tool that allows scientists to edit the genome by cutting，changing or adding to parts of it.
Scientists involved in DNA editing are certain about the good of their work，and hope that in the future，diseases could simply be“edited out”.
However，others aren't so sure. People are worried that the science could be used not only to remove life-threatening illness，but also to make a“perfect”baby whose DNA has been chosen to improve its intelligence or other qualities. They say that this is a shallow way of thinking about raising children.
“It makes you think about who we are as people，and it makes you ask if humans should use the kind of power…that is changing human evolution（进化），”Jennifer Doudna of the University of California said.
Still，others worry that DNA editing could be turned into an expensive service that would only be available to the people who could afford it. That might mean the rich would be given another advantage in a world where they already have plenty of them.
“You could find wealthy parents buying the technology for their children, leading to even greater inequality than we already live with,”Marcy Darnovsky, director of the San Francisco Center for Genetics and Society, said.
1. Why are the questions asked in Paragraph 1?| A．To attract the readers' interest. |
| B．To seek answers from the readers. |
| C．To show those things aren't important. |
| D．To correct our understanding of human beings. |
| A．Having a perfect baby is not so good for the family. |
| B．Life-threatening illnesses should be removed before birth. |
| C．DNA editing might cause unexpected problems to humans. |
| D．DNA editing may enlarge the gap between the rich and the poor， |
| A．Advantages. |
| B．Expensive services. |
| C．Perfect children. |
| D．Qualities |
| A．Disappointed. | B．Doubtful. |
| C．Positive. | D．Objective. |
【推荐3】We don’t know how different our life will be in the future. We can only try to imagine it.
At first we think about human relationships. In the year 2050, we will use computers almost every day. We will be making new friends through the Internet even our husbands or wives will be met in this way. It will be much faster and easier for us. On the other hand, our relationships with people won’t be as important as they are today -- we will feel a little lonely.
Computers will also help us in many other activities in 2050. For example, they will be used by the children at school to make their learning easier. In addition, there will be much more other machines which will play a similar role as computers, like robots which will do the housework for us.
Spending holidays will also be completely different. Travelling to other planets or to the moon will be available for everyone. Means of transport will, of course, change, too. We will be using solar-powered cars, which will be much more environmentally friendly.
We could expect that the faster technological progress would lead to a more polluted environment. But it isn’t true. We will pay more attention to the environment protection. Scientists will probably find cures for many dangerous diseases, like cancer or AIDS. Therefore, our surroundings as well as our health will be in better condition.
Although we can’t predict the exact changes which will be made in the world, we often think about them. We worry about our and our children’s future; we have expectations, hopes as well as fears. But I think we should be rather sanguine about our future. We should be happy and believe good things will happen.
1. Why will people probably feel a little lonely in 2050?| A．The number of people will become much smaller. |
| B．There will be less face-to-face communication. |
| C．People won’t like making friends with each other. |
| D．People won’t communicate with each other much often. |
| A．Computers will do all the things for human beings. |
| B．How people will use computers to communicate with each other. |
| C．Machines like computers and robots will help people a lot. |
| D．How people will use robots to do the housework. |
| A．Disappointed. | B．Surprised. |
| C．Curious. | D．Optimistic. |
| A．How people will communicate in the year 2050. |
| B．What our life will be like in the year 2050. |
| C．How people will travel and spend their holidays in the year 2050. |
| D．What high technology will appear in the year 2050. |
【推荐1】Are you planning a trip to Britain?If so, this list is perfect for you. Join us in taking a look at some of the most interesting attractions the UK offers.
Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the oldest palace buildings in British history. In different historical periods, it has functioned as a military fortress (要塞), a palace, a prison and many other uses. There visitors can appreciate many precious remains about British history, such as Queen Elizabeth’s crown jewels. Additionally, visitors can explore the beautiful Kew Gardens for various plants.
Titanic Belfast
Another fascinating destination on the recommendation list is Titanic Belfast, located at the very spot where the world’s most famous ship, the Titanic, was built. This tourist attraction includes nine galleries (展览馆), which present the historical story of the Titanic in a hi-tech way, from its design, to its eventual going down into the sea. The Titanic
Experience is well-known worldwide and draws lots of tourists each year.
St. Andrews
For golf lovers, St. Andrews is a must-visit destination. Known as the birthplace of golf, this Scottish seaside town is also famous for its breathtaking beauty. St. Andrews is also home to Scotland’s oldest university, St. Andrews University, adding to its attraction. While exploring this town, you can’t miss St. Andrew’s Cathedral (教堂), either, though it has been deserted.
Snowdonia National Park
Snowdonia National Park, located in northwest Wales, is a mountainous region that offers wonderful scenery. Every year, lots of visitors come to get up close to Mount Snowdon, including coming to climb the mountain, hike the mountain, or ride the Mount Snowdon train. Mount Hsuehdun has a number of trails that allow climbers of all levels to choose from!
1. What is special about Tower of London?| A．It is themed technology. | B．It is the birthplace of golf. |
| C．It played more than one role. | D．It lies in the mountainous area. |
| A．Admire plants from all around the world. |
| B．Watch the remains of a well-known church. |
| C．Pay a visit to the world’s oldest university. |
| D．Travel by riding the Mount Snowdon train. |
| A．Tower of London. | B．Titanic Belfast. |
| C．St. Andrews. | D．Snowdonia National Park. |
【推荐2】AP at a Glance
Get an Overview of the AP ProgramThe Advanced Placement ® Program (AP) enables willing and academically-prepared students to pursue college-level studies while they are still in high school. The program develops college-level courses that high schools can choose to offer and corresponding AP exams that are administered once a year.
Fast Facts·AP courses are available in seven subject categories.
·Each AP course is modeled on a comparable introductory college course in the subject.
·Each course comes to an end in a standardized college-level assessment or an AP exam.
·AP exams are given in May each year at testing locations all over the world.
·Schools must be authorized by the AP Course Audit to offer approved AP courses and use the “AP” designation (名称).
AdvantagesTaking AP courses and exams can help students:
·Stand out on college applications. AP courses on a student’s transcript (学生成绩报告单) show that they’ve challenged themselves with the strictest courses available to them. And success on an AP exam shows that they’re ready for college-level coursework.
·Earn college credits and skip introductory courses in college. Most four-year colleges and universities in the United States, as well as many institutions in more than 100 other countries, grant students’ credit, placement, or both for qualifying AP exam scores.
1. Who are suitable to apply for the program?| A．Middle school teachers. |
| B．High school students. |
| C．Program designers. |
| D．Company administrators. |
| A．Study seven reports. |
| B．Earn enough credits. |
| C．Take a relevant exam. |
| D．Use the “AP” designation. |
| A．Getting a high school transcript sooner. |
| B．More foreign universities to be chosen from. |
| C．Studying more introductory courses in college. |
| D．Higher possibility of being admitted to a university. |
【推荐3】What do you think robots are capable of? You might be able to find one that fits your needs at the World Robot Conference (WRC) 2022 in Beijing. Held from Aug 18 to 21, more than 500 robots were on display at the WRC, and this year’s WRC showed quite a few cutting-edge inventions.
Technology in agriculture
With the help of various sensors and an AI system, the robot can collect fruit according to its ripeness, quality and size. The robot first locates the fruit and then uses sensors to decide whether it is ripe, with a robotic arm picking the fruit gently. The fruit is then categorized, ending up in a basket according to its size. Wu Jiafeng, the exhibitor of the fruit- picking robot, told CCTV that more robotic technology will be used in agriculture in the future, including robots for daily inspection and weeding.
Robots fighting COVID-19
Medical staff conducting nucleic acid tests often find their work tough, especially under the summer heat. A nucleic acid test robot developed by Tsinghua University and a Chinese biotech company was presented at the WRC. The robot can collect throat swabs, process samples, as well as produce and upload the results within 45 minutes. The whole process will not require the involvement of humans or laboratories.
Inventions of the youth
Students from BDA School of the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China had their own exhibition at the WRC. Despite their young age, the students brought fascinating inventions and ideas. For example Wang Jiarun, a junior student at the school, designed a three-dimensional parking facility. Since there are usually too few parking spaces in older residential areas, Wang’s work aims to fit more cars into current parking spots. The facility works like a sky wheel with six parking spots. When cars need to be picked up, the facility rotates (旋转) steadily, placing the car on the ground.
1. What’s the author’s purpose in writing this article?| A．To state the importance of robots. |
| B．To advertise three kinds of robots. |
| C．To introduce some front-line inventions of robots. |
| D．To explore the features of young people’s inventions. |
| A．It can save manpower. |
| B．It looks like a lively human. |
| C．It processes samples with the help of doctors. |
| D．It can produce and upload the results in half an hour |
| A．To keep the balance of the facility. | B．To make the best of limited spaces. |
| C．To decorate current parking spaces. | D．To prevent cars from being stolen. |
【推荐1】As the capital city of Thailand, Bangkok is also the country's most populous city with more than 8 million people. Over the years, Bangkok has established itself as one of the most important regional centers for arts, entertainment and fashion. It is also a major regional force in business and finance.
Bangkok is one of the most popular travel destinations for people all over the word. This is primarily due to its energetic city life and its incredible cultural landmarks. Bangkok has much to offer to tourists. From dazzling temples to magnificent palaces, from its well-known floating market to its traditional Chinatown, Bangkok is a city that should not be missed.
There are also numerous hotels, guesthouses and hostels available for travelers that are commit-ted to making their stay pleasant and comfortable. There are many that are located right in the center of the city enabling tourists to have access to shopping centers, restaurants, bars and popular land-marks.
Most accommodations in Bangkok offer 24-hour free Internet access, daily newspapers, theaters, luggage rooms and comfortable bedrooms. For example, Lubd is located in Bangkok's best hangout area. You will have access to all that this city has to offer, be it culture, entertainment, bars, restaurants, clubs or shopping. At Lubd, you will find high-quality accommodation and fun and friendly staff. It has been picked as one of the seventeen coolest hostels to stay for backpackers by The Observer, UK.
The people of Bangkok are extremely convivial and that is why there is always something going on in the city. These include royal anniversaries, Buddhist rites, lunar religious festivals and other cultural events. Foreign festivals are also celebrated with great passion in Bangkok. These include Christmas and Halloween. Overall, if you're looking for an exciting travel destination in Asia, Bangkok is a city that should definitely not be missed.
1. Why do so many people come to Bangkok?| A．Because it is the capital city of Thailand. | B．Because people go after fashion in the city. |
| C．Because of its rich culture and fullness of life. | D．Because of the mysterious temples and palaces. |
| A．It can meet different people's needs. | B．All the hotels are located downtown. |
| C．It is convenient but a little expensive. | D．Most of the hotels are famous in the world. |
| A．Busy | B．Cheerful. | C．Curious. | D．Cautious. |
| A．Lubd is considered the best hotel in the world. |
| B．Most of the star hotels are situated in the city center. |
| C．Bangkok is the author's preferred city in Asia. |
| D．Bangkok provides visitors with cheap accommodations. |
【推荐2】We all know that Paris is a popular travel destination, which has much more to offer than just seeing the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower that are well-known. Experience this amazing city through some of its secret places.
River Boats
Tour the heart of Paris by boat along the Seine River! Boats offer 8 must-see tourist stops along their boat tour route. The cost is 13 Euros for a whole day of river boating with stops for tourists to walk through the Parisian sites. There is a 15-minute interval between two boats. Boating along the Seine is a good way to drink in the unique atmosphere of Paris!
Children’s Science Museum
If you are travelling to Paris with kids, the Children’s Science Museum is the perfect place to visit. The Children’s Science Museum has many exhibits for children. Some exhibits exercise a child’s cognitive skills. The cost is low by European standards at only 8 Euros per adult and 4.50 Euros per child.
Medieval Tavern(中世纪酒馆)
In Paris , tourists can enjoy the night at Medieval Tavern every Thursday night from 8PM--2AM. This tavern opens its doors to the people of Paris and invites them to experience a life from long ago. The menu includes foods that were enjoyed in old days. The entire experience can be enjoyed for only 15 Euros per person!
Luxembourg Garden
The garden is the second largest public park in Paris. Whether you are interested in a walk through the flowers or a pleasant ride on the old carousel(旋转木马), this park is a good choice. Children like playing in the theater while adults enjoy free musical performances.
Welcome to Paris and enjoy these attractions.
1. Which of the following statements about River Boats is TRUE ?| A．Boats come every fifteen minutes. |
| B．In the boat the tourists can enjoy drinking. |
| C．Tourists have to spend a day on the boat enjoying scenes. |
| D．Tourists can only see eight tourist sites along their boat tour route. |
| A．Luxembourg Garden is the largest public park in Paris. |
| B．The Children’s Science Museum is very popular with tourists. |
| C．Tourists can enjoy free musical performances at Medieval Tavern. |
| D．Children can exercise their cognitive skills in the Children’s Science Museum. |
| A．have to pay extra money for delicious food |
| B．have to spend 15 Euros per person for food |
| C．can enjoy the food in the old days every Thursday night |
| D．can spend every night experiencing the old life from 8PM to 2AM |
【推荐3】These are the best places in Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day.
Kilkenny
St Patrick's Day becomes St Patrick's Week in Kilkenny as the five—day festival Tradfest takes over the city centre. The festival focuses on traditional Irish music, while encouraging visitors to invent a few traditions of their own. There is plenty of live music, and you can join a number of workshops to learn Irish dancing and how to play traditional musical instruments.
Cork
Cork's parade(游行)starts at the South Mall and the route follows along St Patrick's Street, finishing at Merchant Quay. In the evening Barrack Street will be full of happy people while live music flows from every doorway. Visitors planning to make a night of it can stay nearby at the Lancaster Lodge.
Dublin
It is already known for great music but there's a lot more to Dublin than the excellent night life. The yearly Dublin parade is a must—see for any visitor lucky enough to be in the city on St Patrick's Day. In the evening the city goes green as Dublin's high buildings are bathed in green light. Many visitors are fond of putting on their green clothes to enjoy the sights.
Galway
If you’re sick of green beer, the coastal city of Galway is the place to go for a real St Patrick's Day—starting with the parade that starts at St Dominick Street, and goes through the centre of Galway to finish at Prospect Hill. Events include traditional street music, free live music and so on. But there's a family cycling event which is quite different from the other St Patrick's Day celebrations.
1. What is Tradfest mainly about?| A．Traditional Irish music. | B．Musical instruments. |
| C．Dancing workshops. | D．Visitor's own music. |
| A．In Barrack Street. | B．At the South Mall. |
| C．At Merchant Quay. | D．In St Patrick's Street. |
| A．Listen to famous music. |
| B．Experience its nightlife. |
| C．Wear their green clothes. |
| D．Enjoy the yearly parade. |
| A．It offers green beer. | B．It has a sports event. |
| C．Its live music is free. | D．Its music is traditional. |
| A．Galway. | B．Dublin. |
| C．Kilkenny. | D．Cork. |
