【推荐2】For the past few years, several companies have been trying to create the perfect portable air conditioner, and it’s a task that’s taken on new urgency as extreme heat waves spread across the world. They’ve tried self-cooling undershirts, wrist-worn cooling plates, and windowless cooling machines. But so far, none seem quite as practical as the Coolify, a $150 wearable that hangs around your neck.

Torras, the company behind Coolify, says its version is different from those cheap neck fans, even if it looks similar on the surface. That’s largely because of its ceramic (陶瓷的) cooling plate that sits right behind your neck. By running the plate, the device creates a cooling sense. “Basically, a neck fan can sometimes just blow hot air around,” Torras spokesman Jackson Wightman says. “This is genuinely an air conditioner as a result of the cooling plate.”

The Coolify comes in smooth plastic and has circular speaker grilles (格栅) on either side of its horseshoe design, somewhat resembling a pair of headphones. Look through either grille, and you’ll see a fan that draws in air and pushes it out through the long pair of passages above.

The device runs on a built-in battery that charges via USB-C. Torras says the battery lasts between two hours and eight hours on a charge, depending on which of its three fan speeds (H/M/L) you select.

One downside to the Coolify and to neck fans in general is that they’re ugly looking wearing this device. Then again, pretty much everyone wanted to try it for themselves, and they were all pleasantly surprised by its cooling effects.

Spending $150 on this might seem expensive. But the real appeal of a device like Coolify — and of wearable air conditioners in general — is that they can spare you from having to turn on the A/C just when one person is feeling hot. The Coolifty fulfills that goal, so we could pay for it in the long run.

1. Why did many companies try to make the portable air conditioner?

A．Because it can help them make profits.

B．Because science and technology is developing.

C．Because the globe is becoming hotter and hotter.

D．Because traditional air conditioners are out of date.

2. What makes Coolify different from a neck fan?

A．It uses smooth plastic.	B．It has circular speaker grilles.
C．It adopts a horseshoe design.	D．It adopts ceramic cooling plate.

3. How can you make Coolify run as long time as possible?

A．By charging it for 8 hours.	B．By choosing a built-in battery.
C．By choosing the low fan speed.	D．By using USB-C to offer power for it.

4. What is the main idea of the last paragraph?

A．The Coolify is expensive.	B．The Coolify is worth buying.
C．The Coolify is better than the A/C.	D．The Coolify is the best air conditioner.

【推荐1】One of the most important things in the world is friendship. In order to have friends, you have to be a friend. But how can you be a good friend at school?
Listen — Listen when they are talking. Don’t say anything unless they ask you a question. Sometimes it’s not necessary for you to have anything to say; they just need someone to talk to about their feelings.
Help them — If your friend is ever in need of something, be there to help them. You should try to put them first, but make sure you don’t do everything they want you to do. Try to take an extra (额外的) pencil or pen with you to classes in case (以防) they forget one. Have a little extra money in your pocket in case they forget something they need.
Be there for them — Try to make something for your friend to help make them feel better in hard times. Making cards and encouraging them are among the nicest things you can do for a friend. Marilyn Monroe, a famous U.S. actor, once said, “I often make mistakes. Sometimes I am out of control. But if you can’t stay with me at my worst, you are sure not to deserve (值得) to be with me at my best.” Always remember this! If you don’t want to stay with your friends when they’re in hard times, then you don’t deserve to be with them when they’re having a good time!
______ — Try to make plans with your friends. Go shopping, go for ice cream, have a party, go to a movie and so on. Take time to know each other even better by doing something you both enjoy. By planning things together, you both can have a good time. And you’ll remember these things when you’re all old!
1. While your friend is talking to you about his or her feelings, you should _____.

A．give him or her some advice

B．just listen unless asked

C．calm him or her down

D．share your feelings as well

2. When we provide help for our friends, we should _____.

A．try to do everything for them

B．put them before ourselves

C．change their bad habits first

D．ignore their faults

3. What can we learn from Marilyn Monroe’s words?

A．Life without a friend is death.

B．A friend is easier lost than found.

C．A friend in need is a friend indeed.

D．A man is known by his friends.

【推荐3】The United Nations Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, meets each year to choose the latest additions to its World Heritage list. Today, we look at some of the recent additions:

Churches of the Pskov School of Architecture (Russia)

A group of ancient structures in the city of Pskov make up Russia’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site. The structures, many of which are churches, all were designed by the Pskov School Architecture. It was a leading school of building design in the country, especially in the 15th and 16th centuries. Some elements common to Pskov architecture date back to the 11th century.

Writing-on-Stone (Canada)

Canada’s Writing-on-Stone monument, known also as Aisinai’ pi, has a large number of protected rock paintings and rock carvings. Some of them are 2,000 years old. The markings were left by Blackfoot Native Americans, who live in parts of Western Canada and the far northern United States. The land that makes up writing-on-Stone is filled with rock columns that have been formed by erosion (侵蚀) into “spectacular shapes”.

Babylon (Iraq)

The ancient city of Babylon is gaining World Heritage Site status. The city was once a main tourist site before Iraq suffered several wars. The 4, 300-year-old Babylon is where dynasties have risen and fallen since the earliest days of settled human civilization UNESCO says the site “offers a look into one of the most influential empires of the ancient world”.

Paraty and IIha Grande (Brazil)

The historic coastal town of Paraty and the island IIha Grande are already popular places for visitors to Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state. Now, they make up a newly named UNESCO site. Paraty was the final stop along the gold Route, along which gold was shipped to Europe in the 1600s. The area is also home to a huge number of animals some of which are threatened.

1. What do we know about Russia’s newest UNSCO World Heritage Site?

A．They merely are various churches.

B．They are a group of ancient school.

C．Their paintings are 2,000 years old.

D．Their designs came from the same school.

2. Which country has the oldest relic mentioned in the text?

A．Iraq.	B．Brazil.
C．Russia.	D．Canada.

3. What is special about Paraty and IIha Grande?

A．It has rich wildlife resources.

B．It has many famous churches.

C．It used to be a gold mining site.

D．It has many rock paintings and rock carvings.

【推荐1】Australia and New Zealand’s health organizations have given their advice on when to use sunscreen (防晒霜), suggesting Australians apply it every day to avoid bad health effects.

A Sunscreen Summit took place in the Australian State of Queensland. During the summit, representatives from some of Australia’s leading research, medical and public health organizations examined the evidence on sunscreen use the determined that in most parts of the country it is beneficial to apply sunscreen every day.

“Up until now, public health organizations have recommended applying sunscreen ahead of planned outdoor activities but haven’t recommended applying it every day as part of a morning routine (惯例),” professor Rachel Neale from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute said. “In recent years, it has become clear that the DNA damage causes skin cancer and melanoma (黑色素瘤), which is caused by repeated small exposure to sunlight over a period of time,” Neale said. “In Australia, we get a lot of sun exposure from everyday activities such as walking to the bus stop or train station,” Neale said.

A study showed that one in two Australians believed it was unhealthy and potentially dangerous to use sunscreen every day. However, Terry Slevin from the Public Health Association of Australia says it is wrong. “There is consistent and compelling evidence that sunscreens are safe,” Slevin said. “Importantly, medical trials have found that people who use sunscreen daily have the same levels of vitamin D as those who don’t,” Slevin added.

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, which is made worse by the country’s close to Antarctica where there is a hole in the ozone layer (臭氧层), letting in higher numbers of UV rays.

1. What made Australian health organizations advise Australians to use sunscreen?

A．The makers of sunscreen.

B．Australian government.

C．The Sunscreen Summit.

D．New Zealand’s researchers.

2. What is not recommended before the Sunscreen Summit?

A．Using sunscreen as a morning routine.

B．Using sunscreen before outdoor activities.

C．Reducing the use of sunscreen.

D．Reducing outdoor activities.

3. What is the misunderstanding of many Australians?

A．Sunscreen will never take effect.

B．Sunscreen is bad for people’s health.

C．People using sunscreen have the same levels of vitamin.

D．D. People using sunscreen won’t have skin cancer.

4. Which of the following best explains “compelling” underlined in paragraph 4?

A．Interesting.	B．Disappointing.
C．Boring.	D．Convincing.

【推荐2】Love, joy, and the warm feeling of pulling together to get through tough times donft cost a thing. But gifts do cost money. So, what’s a poor family to do?

When Christmas season rolled around again, I told my mother that the only thing I wanted was a pogo stick (弹簧单高跷). However, my mother told me they were too expensive and that we simply couldn’t afford one.

On a Saturday afternoon a couple of weeks before Christmas, my mom and dad told me we needed to go to Sears to pay our credit card bill. While my mother and I were at the counter paying the bill, my dad said, “I’ll be right back— I need to see something in the tool department.” A little later, my dad came back with a long box. I remember wondering at that very moment if it was a pogo stick in that box.

When we arrived back at home, my dad put the box in the garage. While my parents were busy with their chores, I quietly walked out to the garage and found the box. I was so excited and I knew that as soon as I opened that magical box my bright, shiny pogo stick would appear. No such luck! Inside the box was a silly old broom. And so Christmas morning was both great and disappointing. I got some nice gifts but I didn’t get the present that I really wanted.

After all the wrapping paper was cleaned up my dad said he needed to tend to something in the garage. When he came back in, he was carrying a beautiful pogo stick. I couldn’t believe it! My parents probably got quite a laugh from the trick they played on me.

Although we didn’t have much money, my parents gave me the most important gift of all: lots of love. My dad worked hard to provide for us and my mother knew how to stretch a dollar. That was over 60 years ago and I still think about those wonderful Christmas memories every year during the holiday season. My parents were the best and I will never forget all the joy they brought into my life.

1. Why did the author’s mother refuse to give him a pogo stick?

A．They’re dangerous for kids to play with.

B．She had already bought him another gift.

C．They didnft have enough money to buy one.

D．He already had too many pogo sticks.

2. How did the author probably feel before he opened the box?

A．Hopeful.

B．Disappointed.

C．Amazed.

D．Doubtful.

3. What does the author think the most valuable gift he received from his parents was?

A．Their unconditional love.

B．His pogo stick.

C．The ability to get through tough times.

D．All the great memories of Christmas.

【推荐3】

RESUME(履历) DOUGLAS V. FERNETTI Address: 636 Rugar Street Joliet, Illinois 60451 Date of Birth: June 5, 1960 Height: 6' Weight: 195 lbs. Health: Excellent Phone: 309 876 –0012 Married: Helen Son: Jim (2) EXPERIENCE 1978 to 1983: Joliet Bridge Company, Joliet, Illinois. Began as an learner and became accomplished journey-man pattern maker. 1983 to Present: Joliet Bridge Company, Joliet, Illinois. Promoted to Forman, Pattern Division. Responsibilities include the supervision of fourteen personnel, maintaining work schedules and making assignments, maintaining stock inventories, and supervising two learners. PERSONAL ACTIVITIES From 1979 to 1983 attended evening school in order to complete high school education. Received H.S. Diploma from the State University of Illinois in 1983. Since 1983 have attended evening classes at Joliet Community College. Have completed eighteen semester hours credit with nine hours in personnel management. Other activities include regular church attendance, member of ELKS, and help with Little League. PERSONAL STATEMENT Although I have been very happy at Joliet Bridge and have had excellent opportunity, it is necessary that I move my family due to my son's allergies (过敏症). In this respect, desire a position in the Southwest United States. Am willing to consider a position as a pattern maker, tool and die maker, or as a supervisor. My major attributes are my reliability and loyalty to my company and my ability to work with others. REFERENCES References are available upon request.

1. What does Douglas do at present in Joliet Bridge Company?

A．Pattern maker	B．Leader of Pattern Division
C．Member of ELKS	D．Learner

2. What was Douglas doing in 1982?

A．Working in Joliet Bridge Company

B．Studying at Joliet Community College

C．Helping with Little League

D．A, B and C

3. Why does Douglas want to leave Joliet Bridge Company?

A．Because he is not satisfied with his present job.

B．Because he has not been successful in the company.

C．Because he does not get along well with his colleagues.

D．Because his son is not used to the weather in Illinois.

4. If you want to know the age of Douglas' son, what can you do?

A．Write to 636 Rugar Street.	B．Telephone 309 876-0012.
C．Ask his wife Helen.	D．Find it in the resume.

【推荐1】There are those who save every takeaway container. There are others who throw away every takeaway container and later wish they hadn't clone so. Wouldn't it be great if these two people could do each other a favor and just swap （交换）?

Across the world, those with too much "junk”, and those who can't get enough of it, are exchanging and sharing their stuff online on a network called Freecycle. On Freecycle, people can swap with others who live within a few miles of them. All you have to do is list whatever you have to give away or whatever you're looking for. Take a quick visit to the website, and you can get your hands on a baby stroller, a dictionary, or a pair of shoes. Just sign up and make sure you turn up to collect your new-- or , rather , old—item.

“Freecycling" isn't just a trend, though. It's becoming the accepted way of doing things. If your child has grown up, what better way to deal with his or her stroller than to give it to another kid? And if you're moving house, your expensive necessities, even beds and cupboards, can just be freecycled.

Admittedly? a lot of the items carry warnings, such as “TV with remote control missing” or ^saucepan （no lid）”. And some listings are a bit bossy, too, as in “ladies' shoes — must be collected TONIGHT! !

It's also possible to get a bit addicted to Freecycle. A "bamboo cocktail bar"， a   “cupboard with 20 very small drawers”, a huge pile of ^squares of cloth, great for craft projects! It all sounded so good to one of my flatmates that she became an example of a ^Freecycle addict”. But that didn't matter, of course. Everything she got could later be freecycled off again.

1. Why does the author mention two kinds of people in paragraph 1?

A．To lead to the topic of Freecycle.

B．To compare their different habits.

C．To call on people to help each other.

D．To help them exchange takeaway containers.

2. What can people do on Freecycle?

A．Buy cheap things.

B．Make friends online.

C．Store their own things.

D．Offer unwanted items for free.

3. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．Everything on Freecycle is expensive.

B．My flatmate has nothing to do with Freecycle.

C．It is possible to get useless things from Freecycle.

D．It is easy for some people to get crazy about Freecycle.

4. What can we say about freecycling?

A．It is not a possible trend.	B．It is win-win for some people.
C．It can cause some problems.	D．It is likely to produce waste.

【推荐2】The minute you start talking about what you’re going to do if you lose, you have lost.

Some people have a great fear of losing. In fact, fear is not the best description of what they have. It is more like a crazy phobia(恐惧症) that they cannot keep away from. Day after day, these people allow their fear of losing to control everything in their lives. They are so afraid of losing that they try to keep away from losing without considering the cost of doing so.

When things start to get out of control, fear begins to come in. As the fear of losing or getting hurt overwhelms(充溢) them, they quickly look for excuses, rather than fight back or find a way to deal with their fear. They never realize that losing is just as common as eating and breathing.

If one is given a choice, who wouldn’t prefer winning over losing? After all, winning is exciting and winning is what living is all about. Although we might try hard all the time, we’re not going to win every time. In fact, most of us are going to lose a lot more often than we win and, believe it or not, it’s not all bad.

In order to make the most of our abilities ，we have to take risks every now and then. When we take risks, we might get knocked down, or even knocked flat, but with each failure and each loss, we have an opportunity to get better and get closer to the life we expect.

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

A．The Bad Effects of Losing

B．Make the Most of Every Success

C．We Win Some and We Lose Some

D．Winning Is the Main Purpose in Life

2. By saying the underlined sentence “They are so afraid. . .” in paragraph 2, the author means           .

A．one should avoid losing by using any kind of means

B．one is too afraid to deal with losing properly by himself

C．one is so afraid of losing that he can’t step forward at all

D．one should make efforts to deal with losing rather than avoid it

3. We can know from the passage that           .

A．fear works most when one is eager to win

B．losing is a common part of our daily lives

C．one should avoid losing without considering the cost

D．the more losing one experiences, the stronger one will become

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．Losing is of great value to success.

B．The more we fear, the better we will perform.

C．Only when we improve our abilities can we win.

D．Only through experiencing losing can we get what we want.

【推荐3】It was a very hot day in late Summer. I was a young dad working in a local wood mill. It was dangerous, back-breaking work that paid very little. In the year I worked there, only four other people hadn’t quit and been replaced with new feces. Those of us who stayed did so only because there was no other work to find to support our families.

On this day all of us were covered in sweat and dust. When I looked around, every face I saw looked angry and frustrated. Suddenly, a voice called out, “Hey! There’s a deer in here.” A lost little female deer had wandered through the open loading bay doors and was now cowering (蜷缩) in between the huge stacks of wood. All of us stopped working and went looking for her as she ran about looking for a way out.

Now most people where I live hunt deer for meat in the Fall but also treat them with great kindness the rest of the year. Many will even buy 50 bags of corn to help feed them during the harsh Winter months. It was no surprise then that all of us were soon quickly working together to free this little creature. By blocking off all the other routes, we were able to guide her frantic search back to the open bay doors. We watched as she jumped out of the building and back into the woods. Then we walked back in to work. I noticed something, though. On every face there was a joyful smile. It was as if this one single act of kindness had energized us again and reminded us of what life is all about.

1. Why were few people willing to work in the wood mill?

A．They were dissatisfied with the pay and working conditions.

B．They were tired of wood cutting and wanted more freedom.

C．They wanted to move to big places to seek more pleasure.

D．They disliked the treatment of the boss and animals around.

2. What can be inferred from Paragraph 2?

A．The deer made the workers unable to work.

B．The workers there wanted to kill the deer for meat.

C．It was common for the workers to see a deer there.

D．The deer was a ray of light to the dull workers there.

3. How did the men free the deer in the end?

A．They blocked all the routes except the proper ones.

B．They caught her and then sent her to the wide wild.

C．They used signals to guide the deer out of the woods.

D．They used foods to guide the deer out to the open doors.

4. Which of the following can best describe the workers?

A．Cruel and impatient.	B．Hard-working and caring.
C．Cautious and courageous.	D．Bad-tempered and demanding.