【推荐1】Back in November 1988, Robert Tappan Morris was a 20-something graduate student at Cornell who wanted to know how big the Internet was- that is, how many computers were connected to it. So he wrote a program that would travel from computer to computer and ask each machine to send a signal back to a control server, which would keep count. That was how the world’s first cyber (网络) attack set the stage for modern cyber security challenges.

The program worked well. Morris had known that if it traveled too fast there might be problems, but the limits he built in weren’t enough to keep the program from blocking up large sections of the Internet, both copying itself to new machines and sending those pings (电子脉冲) back, When he realized what was happening, even his messages warning system administrators about the problem couldn’t get through. Large numbers of Internet-connected computers are told to send lots of traffic to one particular address, overloading it with so much activity that either the system shuts down or its network connections are completely blocked. Morris’s program is now known as the “Morris worm”.

Worms and viruses are similar, but different in one key way: A virus needs a command, from a user or a hacker (黑客), to run its program. A worm, by contrast,hits the groundrunning all on its own. For example. even if you never open your email program, a worm that gets onto your computer might email a copy of itself to everyone in your address book.

In a time when few people were concerned about harmful software and nobody had protective software in his computer, the Morris worm spread quickly. It took 72 hours for researchers at Purdue and Berkeley to stop the worm. It affected tens of thousands of systems, Cleaning up the infection cost hundreds or thousands of dollars for each affected machine.

Morris wasn’t trying to destroy the Internet, but he was sentenced to three years of probation (缓刑) and a roughly US $ 10.000 fine. In the late 1990s, though. he became a dot-com millionaire- and is now a professor at MIT.

1. What is Morris’s intention 1o write the program known now as the “Morris worm”?

A．To test the effect of protective software.

B．To start a harmful attack on the Internet.

C．To see how well a program can work on the Internet.

D．To get the number of the computers connected to the Internet.

2. What is the second paragraph mainly about?

A．What loss the problem caused.

B．How the problem was dealt with.

C．How the unexpected problem came about.

D．What Morris did to prevent the problem from expanding.

3. What does the underlined part “hits the ground” in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．Copies itself.	B．Gets on the Internet.
C．Gets the user’s command.	D．Copies your email address book.

4. What happened to Morris after the attack?

A．He was punished for it.	B．He invented a protective software.
C．He got help from a millionaire.	D．He was asked to clear up the Internet.

【推荐2】WeChat is a social mobile application with voice and text messaging timeline and several social features like ‘Message in a Bottle’. WeChat, a popular instant messaging tool run by Tencent Holdings, aims to help users access mobile services without downloading separate apps, which experts said may challenge the business of smartphone app distributors such Apple Store.

This new feature, named ‘Mini Programs’, allows WeChat users to find a variety of services such as ticket buying by scanning a QR (quick-response) code, saving them the trouble of installing a number of different apps on smart devices, according to the transcript of a speech by Zhang Xiaolong, Tencent’s senior executive vice president, on Wednesday. The new function is expected to come online on January 9.

Zhang, known as the father of WeChat, emphasized that ‘Min Programs’ is not a mobile app distributing function.

Still, experts and app developers said that the rollout (推出) of ‘Mini Programs’ on WeChat will erode the market share of app distributors like Apple Store in China.

“‘Mini Programs’ will attract lots of start-ups, because a program based on WeChat can help them build up businesses at much lower costs,” a Shanghai-based app developer, told the Global Times Wednesday.

If a start-up wants to promote its business via a separate application, it has to hire a special team to develop two different apps— one each for iOS and Android.

Lsiunched in 2011, WeChat has evolved to include services such as ‘Order Taxi’, ‘Food Delivery’, e-commerce and payments from just an instant messaging app.

1. What can we know about ‘Mini Programs’?

A．It’s expensive.	B．It’s complex.
C．It’s convenient.	D．It’s free.

2. Why do lots of start-ups choose the ‘Mini Programs’?

A．It can cut the costs of building business.	B．It can help build up business.
C．It can help them make a big fortune.	D．It can promote their business.

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

A．increase	B．reduce
C．improve	D．promote

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．WeChat will be a perfect app.	B．WeChat will meet a great challenge.
C．WeChat will meet needs of more people.	D．WeChat will replace other apps.

【推荐3】Scientists say they've developed a system using machine learning to predict when and where lighting will strike. The research was led by engineers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland.

European researchers have estimated that between 6,000 and 24,000 people are killed by lightning worldwide each year. The strikes can also cause power outages, destroy property, damage electrical equipment and start forest fires. For these reasons, climate scientists have long sought to develop methods to predict and control lightning. In the United States and other places, ground-based sensing devices are used to identify strikes as they happen. But, no system has been created to effectively predict lightning.

The system tested in the experiments used a combination of data from weather stations and machine learning methods. The researchers developed a prediction model that was trained to recognize weather conditions that were likely to cause lightning.

The model was created with data collected over a 12-year period from 12 Swiss weather stations in cities and mountain areas. The data related to four main surface conditions: air pressure, air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed.

The atmospheric data was placed into a machine learning algorithm（算法）, which compared it to records of lightning strikes. Researchers say the algorithm was then able to learn the conditions under which lightning happens.

Amirhossein Mostajabi is a PhD student at the institute who led the development of the method. He said, “current systems for gathering such data are slow and complex and require costly collection equipment like radar or satellites.”

“Our method uses data that can be obtained from any weather station,” Mostajabi said. “This will improve data collection in very remote areas not covered by radar and satellite or in places where communication systems have been cut,” be added.

The researchers plan to keep developing the technology in partnership with a European effort that aims to create a lightning protection system. The effort is called the European Laser Lightning Rod project.

1. Why have climate scientists tried to predict and control lighting?

A．To collect relative data.

B．To reduce the destruction lightning has been causing.

C．To create a scientific system.

D．To do research in relation to machine learning.

2. The four mentioned surface conditions include all the following EXCEPT ________.

A．air pollution	B．wind speed
C．relative humidity	D．air temperature

3. What does the underlined word “it” in paragraph 5 refer to?

A．lighting.	B．the system being tested.
C．the atmospheric data.	D．the machine learning algorithm.

4. What can we learn about Mostajabi from the passage?

A．He developed the method and the system himself.

B．He thinks the current systems are too slow and simple.

C．He is a professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

D．He believes their system does much better in data collection.

【推荐2】As parents, you are understandably very afraid of your children getting hurt and getting into trouble, as you send your kids out into the world where they learn from other kids and from external media. This makes you feel unsafe because you can't control the information and ideas that your children are exposed to. When your child lies to you, it hurts and makes you angry, because it shakes the foundation of trust you have in your child.

Your kid’s honesty becomes the connector between what’s happening to him on the outside world and what happens at home. You need him to tell you honestly what happened today. For example, if you say to your child, “Were you out last night?” and he says, “Yes, I was. I hung out with my friends and I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have done it.” This is an opportunity for your child to admit his mistake. But for the teen who says, “No way; I wasn’t out! That wasn’t me,” you’re dealing with denial. For the child who admits his mistake, you might set the limit of not allowing him to sleep over at a friend’s house until you can see he’s being honest about coming home. But if there’s total denial, he may lose his privileges to go out and to sleep over at a friend’s house for a longer period of time.

To prevent future lies, the important things is that you’re monitoring your child—and he knows that you’re doing it. Remember, you’ll do a better job when you respond objectively instead of reacting emotionally. Facing kids’ lies, a good parent is supposed to set rules and follow through. Additionally, having a conversation about the lie is where the learning happens for your child and is where you can influence better choices for more consistently responsible behavior.

1. What makes parents feel insecure about their kids?

A．Nobody trusts their kid in the world because of lying.

B．Lying always causes their kids to get hurt or troubled.

C．Their kids are exposed to information beyond their control.

D．Their kids learn little from other kids and external media.

2. How should parents react when their kids lie about going out at night?

A．Banning their going out longer.	B．Taking no notice of it.
C．Forbidding their meeting friends.	D．Bursting into anger.

3. What is the key to preventing potential lies?

A．Emotional reaction.	B．Immediate blame.
C．Loose rules.	D．Open conversations.

4. What’s the purpose of the passage?

A．To persuade kids out of telling lies.

B．To offer advice on handling kids’ lying.

C．To introduce the consequences of kids’ lying.

D．To explain the reasons for kids’ lying..

【推荐1】Not long after Tony Berlin began working at the state driver’s license facility in Niles in 1985, he noticed that some truck drivers who should have failed their exams mysteriously passed them. For six years, starting in 1992， he collected evidence to show why: He believed truck drivers were bribing state workers to get licenses. In another turn of the screw, the workers were using those bribes lo buy tickets to the then secretary of state George Ryan’s fundraisers,                    including for his successful bid for governor. Berlin tried to expose the corruption (腐败)-he went to the FBI and the upper ranks of the secretary of state’s office - but was repeatedly met with indifference. Then he began to suspect that the truck driver in a 1994 accident that killed six children, all from the same family, got his license through the scheme. In a moment that changed everything, Berlin reached out to the Reverend Scott Willis, the children’s father.

It was his call to Willis that connected the crash to what would become known as the licenses — for — bribes scandal (丑闻 ）， “Berlin’s the one who started it says the Willises’ lawyer. A few months after that phone call, the U.S. attorney’s office initiated Operation Safe Road, an ongoing federal investigation that by the end of November had disclosed 34 offenses.

The investigation ultimately netted 75 offenses, including that of Dean Bauer, Ryan’s inspector general. He pleaded guilty in 2001 to obstructing (妨碍)justice and was sentenced to 12 months in. prison. Bui the biggest catch was Ryan himself, who was sentenced in 2006 to six and a half years tor fraud and blackmailing. As for Berlin, he continued to work a stale licenste facilities, in Streator and Pontiac, choosing to slay out of the public eye.

1. What initially caused Tony Berlin to investigate the licenses — for — bribes scandal?

A．Truck drivers, bribing slate workers.

B．Truck drivers, licenses being granted too freely.

C．His working at the state driver’s license facility.

D．The truck driver’s killing six children in a 1994 accident.

2. According to Tony Berlin, the bribes ultimately ran into.

A．buying driving licenses	B．George Ryan’s fundraising
C．covering the loss of the Willises	D．supporting the federal investigation

3. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A．Tony’s calling Willis was a turning point in the whole bribing case.

B．Tony Berlin became a household name after the exposure of the scandal.

C．the FBI failed to take serious action the first time Berlin asked for investigation.

D．George Ryan, the biggest criminal behind the scene, was sentenced to years in jail.

4. According to the passage, which of the following can best describe Tony Berlin?

A．Perseverant, dutiful and tame-thirsty.	B．Strong-willed, cooperative and sociable.
C．Responsible, aggressive and merciless.	D．Determined, right-minded and courageous.

【推荐2】Why Go To Yellowstone

With dramatic peaks and unspoiled lakes,Yellowstone National Park it an outdoor enthusiast s paradise. Multicolored pools swirl around hot springs;green forests weave past wide expansive meadows;and volatile geysers launch streams of steaming water toward the sky.While you traverse its 3,000-plus square miles of mountains, canyons,geysers and waterfalls,be prepared to share the trails with permanent residents like buffalo,elk and sometimes even grizzlies

Yellowstone Travel Tips

Best Months to Visit

The best times to visit Yellowstone National Park are from April to May and between September and October.These shoulder months offer mild weather and fewer crowds.July and August are the most popular months to visit:The kids are out of school,and the weather is warm enough to sleep outside.However,this park is no stranger to the cold in winter.There’s nothing quite like seeing plumes of steam rise from beneath a thick blanket of snow and ice.

How to Save Money in Yellowstone

Bring your own bed.A space in a campground is much cheaper than a room at one of the park’s lodges.plus, many campgrounds come equipped with showers,toilets and even laundry facilities.

Skip the summer. Because the summer witnesses the largest influx of tourists,hotel and campground rates tend to rise.

Do your owe cooking Yellowstone does feature several sit-down restaurants,but they can end up

Putting quite a dent in your savings.Consider bringing your own food.

Safety

When sightseeing in the park.stay a sate distance from animals at all times.Most of the park’s established campsites generally are not at risk for animal attacks,but campers should keep all food and garbage out of reach from bears and creatures.

Getting Around Yellowstone

The best way to get around Yellowstone National Park is by car,as there is no public transportation system. You can a car at any of the nearby airports.However,that doesn’t mean that you should spend your entire vacation behind the wheel . Each of Yellowstone’s eight regions has an area to park, allowing you to leave the car behind and explore by bike or on foot Guided tours and limited airport shuttle services are also available.

1. What can be inferred from the passage?

A．Accommodations in the campsite hotel are highly recommended

B．People camping in Yellowstone are supposed to share the trails with the animals there.

C．In summer.Yellowstone welcome large numbers of tourists because it’s the best season.

D．In winter, the scenery of Yellowstone is quite unique.

2. Travelers enjoy various services and facilities in Yellowstone EXCEPT____

A．guided tours

B．parking lots

C．car rental

D．restaurant food

【推荐1】The United States space agency, NASA. says its Mars exploration vehicle recently recorded a high level of methane (甲烷) gas on the planet. The discovery is exciting because the presence of methane gas could support the case for life on Mars.

NASA's Curiosity vehicle recently recoded the largest level of methane ever measured during its seven-year Mars mission.

Methane has no color or smell. A special instrument on Curiosity's Man Science Laboratory recorded the increased gas level. The device measures levels of chemical elements and gases in the Marian atmosphere. In addition to methane, the instrument can record levels of water and carbon dioxide.

Nearly all the methane gas found in Earth's atmosphere is produced by living thing. It usually comes from animal and plant life. But it can also be formed by geological(地质的) processes, such as interactions. between rocks and water.

It was not the first time Curiosity had found methane gas in the Martian atmosphere. About a year ago, NASA announced that Curiosity had discovered sharp seasonal increases in the gas. This time, NASA said the measured methane gas level was clearly larger than any others observed in the past. "It's exciting because microbial (微生物的) life is an important source of methane on Earth," NASA said in a statement announcing the discovery.

However, Curiosity's team carried out a follow-up methane experiment that showed a sharp drop in levels of the gas. That number was "close to the background levels Curiosity sees all the time." NASA said. The rise and fall of the methane gas levels left NASA scientists with more questions than answers.

"The methane mystery continues," said Ashwin Vasavada. Curiosity's project scientist, "We're more motivated than ever to keep measuring and put our brains together to figure out how methane behaves in the Marian atmosphere."

1. What do we know about methane go?

A．It is a must to living things.	B．It can be found everywhere.
C．It smells like carbon dioxide.	D．It's mainly from biological activity.

2. What do the explorations on Mans tell us?

A．Humans have known much about Mars.

B．There will be more methane gas on Mars.

C．There is no progress in the 7 year's research.

D．The level of methane gas on Mars is not stable.

3. What does the discovery mean in NASA's view?

A．There may exist life on Mars.

B．Methane gas on Mars has a sudden increase.

C．The mystery about Mars will be solved soon.

D．They're known how methane as is formed on Mans.

4. How do the NASA's scientists feel about their future exploration?

A．Aimless.	B．Confident.
C．Stressed.	D．Serious.

【推荐2】Sleeping in a noisy room isn't only distracting（使人分心的）, and it can also harm your health. Although researchers have known for decades that long-term loud noises can harm us, it's only recently become recognized as a widespread issue.

In a new review of previously published studies, researchers from Germany and Denmark took a look at the ways in which noises, such as an airplane passing by or jackhammer digging in the ground can affect our hearts. Perhaps the most obvious impact of a loud sound while you are sleeping is that it can wake you up. But, even if you don't remember hearing the noise or you don't physically get out of bed, it can disrupt you in ways you may not realize

"Noise is not just causing annoyance, but it actually makes us sick," said Dr. Thomas Munzel, a professor at Johannes Gutenberg University Main. "Regardless of where the sound is coming from, if it gets louder than 60 decibels（分贝）, it can increase the risk of heart disease."

When our body hears these noises, it reacts with a stress reaction. In this case, these sudden and unexpected noises cause hormones（荷尔蒙）to speed up and eventually damage the heart. Although the chance that a single noise will affect you is unlikely, it's the constant exposure to the sound that can eventually affect you.

"But our heart health isn't the only cause for concern. Long-term noise may also raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, depression, and anxiety disorders," he warns. In the future, Munzel plans to examine how noises from cars, planes, and other vehicles affect the brain. But despite the amount or the depth of research he conducts, it'll take the help of politicians to improve the impact of noise on our health.

"Politicians have to take into account, in particular, the new findings,"Munzel said, "With respect to aircraft noise and airports, it is important to make new laws and set new lower noise limits that protect people living close by the airport instead of the owners of the airport."

1. Which word can replace the underlined word "disrupt" in paragraph 2?

A．Defeat.

B．Harm

C．Benefit.

D．Discourage

2. What can be inferred from the last two paragraphs?

A．Politicians should take action to handle noise pollution

B．Munzel will continue other studies on brain diseases.

C．Benefits of airport owners are more important than health

D．Attention should be paid to heart health and other diseases.

3. Which can be the best title for the text?

A．Who Is to Blame for Noise Pollution

B．What Should Be Done to Stop Noise

C．How Munzel Carried Out His Research

D．How Noise Pollution Harms Our Body

【推荐3】Throughout history, music spread through common experiences among people of different cultures.In today's technologically advanced society, however, people spread music online, sometimes without an artist's permission.This can lead to many problems and music companies are now cracking down on this practice.Sharing music online without permission is theft（盗窃）.

Sharing music online prevents recording companies from making money from their efforts.They say that online file sharing has resulted in a huge drop in profits and sales over the past 10 years.People who find music for free online are not paying for CDs or every MP3 download.To truly understand the influence（影响）of music piracy（盗版）on creators, one must understand how many people are involved in the recording process.For the sale of each album, profits must be shared between all parties: musicians, sound engineers, music producers, managers, advertisers, and the company selling the product.Many people believe sharing music only affects the recording artist, but the reality is that sharing hurts business for all companies involved.Therefore, the sharing of music files is just as damaging as stealing a CD from Target.

There are many people who don't see the harm in sharing music files online and even think they have the right to do it.One online blogger states that he originally paid for an entire CD and that he "should be able to do with the material whatever he wants".While he may have legally paid for the music, he does not have the right to provide it to the world at no cost.Most music is copyrighted（有版权的）.No one can legally hand out free copies without permission, which means people like the blogger are thieves.

Although we do not spread today's music the same way we did historically, there's no doubt that people around the world love to share music.However, internet piracy could prevent musicians from wanting to continue producing albums for fear of theft.Therefore, if people want to continue listening to their favorite artists, they need to buy their music so that artists will make enough profit to continue their music careers.

1. What does the underlined phrase "cracking down on" in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Speaking highly of.	B．Bringing up carefully.
C．Destroying completely.	D．Dealing seriously with.

2. We can learn from the text that       .

A．sharing music files online affects a lot of people

B．artists are taking action to protect their rights

C．a person who has bought a CD has the right to share it online

D．online music sharing increases sales of music CDs

3. How is the text organized?

A．Opinion-Discussion-Description

B．Topic-Argument-Explanation

C．Introduction-Supporting statements-Conclusion

D．Main idea-Comparison-Supporting statements

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

A．Is Sharing Music Right?

B．Music Piracy is Theft

C．Music Piracy is Good for Music Lovers

D．What is Music Piracy？