【推荐1】Look at the Earth from space. Why does our planet look so blue?     1     Water is not just an important part of our planet. It is an important part of our body, too. More than half of our total body weight is water.

    2     That’s why we need to drink plenty of water every day. We drink water. We use it to cook, clean. Farmers use it to grow vegetables and crops like rice and corn.     3    

Since the 1950s, people have been using more and more water.     4     Scientists worry that soon there won’t be enough water for the world. What can we do to help? Use water wisely (明智地).

Right now, ships and factories are putting wastes into seas, rivers and so on, even chemicals (化学制品).     5     We must do something to stop pollution. It’s the best way to protect our world’s most important natural resource (资源).

A．Factories use it to make goods.

B．Why is water so important for human?

C．However, there is less water than before.

D．It can also kill fish and other water-living lives.

E．Because water covers almost three quarters of the Earth.

F．Our body loses water whenever we exercise or go to the toilet.

【推荐2】Each of us shares this planet with seven billion others. People and products need to move from city to city and country to country. However, most cars, motorcycles, boats and planes cause air pollution.     1    . This is a serious problem. So inventors are coming up with creative ideas to reduce the pollution and noise.

Motorcycles are a faster and cheaper way to get around a city than cars.     2     To solve this problem, a company designed an environmentally friendly motorcycle. It uses electricity so there is no air pollution.

    3     There are no cars in the city center. Instead of cars, water taxis and buses carry people around the city. However, they cause pollution. English engineers Dick and Jem designed a solar-powered water taxi.

Planes also cause air and noise pollution.     4     Some airplane companies have started to solve the problems. Swiss engineers have gone one step further.     5     This plane holds the world record for the longest solar powered flight—1,541 kilometers.

A．They developed a solar airplane.

B．Designing an environmentally friendly airplane is a real challenge.

C．Yet air pollution is a growing problem.

D．They are also noisy.

E．The Italian city of Venice is a city with only a few roads.

F．You can come to the company, too.

【推荐3】A vegetarian diet is often praised for its health benefits. Vegetarians usually have lower levels of heart disease, and studies have also shown that they have a lower risk of diabetes(糖尿病)than people who eat meat. However, most people don't realize that a vegetarian diet produces less pollution to the earth.
Researchers from the Union of Concerned Scientists in the US recently studied how people affect the environment. The study showed that eating meat is one of the main ways that humans can change the environment, second only to the use of motor vehicle.
Then, how can eating meat have a negative effect on the environment? For a start, all farm animals such as cows, pigs, and sheep give off methane gas(沼气)by breathing. One cow can produce up to 60 liters of methane each day. Methane gas is the second most common greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. Many environmental experts now believe that it is more responsible for global warming than carbon dioxide. It is estimated that 25% of all methane released into the air comes from farm animals.
Another way that meat production affects the environment is through the use of water and land. 2,500 gallons of water are needed to produce one pound of beef while only 20 gallons of water are needed to produce one pound of wheat. One acre of farmland used for crop production can produce 40,000 pounds of potatoes, 30,000 pounds of carrots, or 50,000 pounds of tomatoes, however, one acre of farmland used for raising cows can produce just 250 pounds of beef.
Many people now see the benefits of a vegetarian diet, not just for health reasons, but also because it plays an important role in protecting the environment. However, some nutritionists advise against switching to a totally strict vegetarian, or vegan diet. They believe a vegan diet, which excludes(拒绝) all products from animal sources, such as cheese, eggs, and milk, can be short of many necessary vitamins and minerals our bodies need.
Today, many people know that it is important to take better care of their bodies, and to use the earth's resources more efficiently. As this understanding spreads, more people may realize that to help the environment and for the human race to survive, more of us will need to become vegetarian.
1. The underlined word "vegetarian" in the first paragraph most probably means "      ".

A．a person who eats healthy food

B．a person who eats meat and vegetables

C．a person who only eats meat, fish and seafood

D．a person who only eats vegetables，grains, and fruit

2. It's          for a vegetarian to have diabetes than a person who eats meat.

A．more possible	B．less possible
C．highly possible	D．impossible

3. Which of the statement is TRUE according to the article?

A．Doctors suggest switching to totally vegetarian diets.

B．It takes more water and land to produce a kilo of crops.

C．Farm animals give off methane gas and pollute the environment.

D．Carbon dioxide is more responsible for global warming than methane gas.

4. The underlined word "it" in Paragraph 5 refers to "      ".

A．a vegetarian diet	B．animal source
C．necessary vitamin	D．health reason

5. The main idea of the article is that         .

A．our diet is destroying the surroundings

B．raising farm animals affects the environment

C．a vegetarian diet helps to protect the environment

D．more and more people are becoming strict vegetarians

【推荐2】In recent years, a number of Chinese creations have been popular around the world. Among them, four creations are the most well-known. They are known as the “four new great inventions” of modern China.

High-speed trains

China created its first high-speed railway line in 2008. Since then, many visitors have travelled around China by high-speed trains. China is working on new high-speed trains that will have a top speed of 400 kilometers per hour. These high-speed trains will connect more than 80 percent of main cities across China.

Shared bikes

Shared bike services started in western countries. Unlike traditional bike-sharing methods, China’s shared bikes allow users to simply pick up or park on the street. People just need to scan a QR code（扫描二维码）on a shared bike with a smart phone app. After you finish riding, you can park it everywhere, lock it and pay for your ride.

Mobile payment

Mobile payment is turning China into a “cashless society”. For example, customers now pay for goods simply by Alipay or WeChat payment with their mobile phones. They can also use Alipay to buy things on international websites and apps. What’s more, in some countries around the world, they can also use Alipay or WeChat Pay.

Online shopping

China has the largest number of Internet users in the world. The largest online shopping website Alibaba has created an “online shopping festival” and celebrates on December 11th every year. People can buy plenty of things at good prices on that day. And online shopping also helps to provide jobs for many people.

The four new great inventions are not the only made-in-China products to be welcomed in foreign countries. China plays a more and more important role in the world.

1. What do we need if we want to buy things by Alipay?

A．A mobile phone.

B．A QR code.

C．Cash.

D．A shopping website.

2. Which is NOT TRUE about China’s new four creations?

A．A lot of people choose to take the high-speed trains to have trips.

B．The shops in China don’t accept cash from the customers now.

C．We can park the shared bikes everywhere on the street after riding.

D．Many people can get jobs because of the online shopping.

3. When you use a shared bike, you can do all of the following EXCEPT ________.

A．choosing the bikes on the street	B．locking the bike
C．paying for your ride on your phone	D．bringing the bike back home

4. The main purpose of this passage is ________.

A．to explain the uses of shared bicycles	B．to show the development of Chinese technology
C．to share the history of high-speed railway in China	D．to introduce the online shopping festival

5. This passage is most probably from ________.

A．a travel magazine

B．a comic book

C．a newspaper

D．a novel

【推荐3】Can knots be a form of art? It is in China. It is used for decoration (装饰 ) on clothing or to hang on a wall. Skilled knot artists make knots that you might see sold in stores that you can take back with you.

What Is a Chinese Knot?

A Chinese knot is a knot that is tied and woven (编织) from a single length of rope to be different shapes. Most knots have two cords (粗线) entering the knot from the top and two leaving from the bottom. Each kind of knot is named after its shape or the symbolic meaning that it carries.

Knot artists can use different colors, but they prefer deep red ones. The color red means good luck in China.

▲

At first, people may have made them to record information before people started to write. One hundred thousand year old tools have been discovered that were probably used to tie and untie knots.

It is known that they were used for artistic decoration and to express thoughts and feelings in the Tang Dynasty (618—907). The traditional art form was carried on by people as part of their culture.

Ancient and Modern Use of Artistic Knots

Even today, Chinese knots are rich in symbolic meaning, and they hold value when given as gifts or passed down through families. For example, in ancient times and even now lovers may give a knot as a symbol of their love. The “true love knot” and the “double happiness knot” are given or used at weddings to express love and growing old together.

Along with being symbolic gifts or messages, knots are still used if people wear traditional Chinese clothing. They are used as jewelry such as earrings and necklaces.

1. According to the passage, a Chinese knot ________.

A．has different colors especially purple	B．is named after the artist
C．can be seen on clothes or on the wall	D．is made of rope and silk

2. What can be best put in the blank “ ▲ ”?

A．The History of Chinese Knot	B．The Importance of Chinese Knot
C．The Shapes of Chinese   Knot	D．The Popularity of Chinese Knot

3. What was the Chinese knot used for at first?

A．Writing letters.	B．Decorating houses.
C．Expressing love.	D．Recording information.

4. How does the writer explain Ancient and Modern Use of Artistic Knots?

A．By asking questions.	B．By listing numbers.
C．By giving examples.	D．By showing pictures

5. Where can you probably read the passage?

A．In a storybook.

B．On a culture website.

C．In a travel guide.

D．In a science magazine.

【推荐1】A new rubbish sorting system(垃圾分类系统) has been put into use in Fangchengyuan Community in Beijing. Local people not only sort their rubbish, but also put QR codes(二维码) on it.

“When the rubbish is collected and the codes are seen, I will get reward points to exchange for small gifts and even some money,” one of the local people told reporters. “It’s really creative and encouraging.”

This smart system has been carried out in 350 communities in Beijing. The capital of China has joined a list of cities in the country that take action to encourage rubbish sorting. For example, Shenzhen and Shanghai have made laws to punish people and organizations for not sorting rubbish correctly.

China produces quite a lot of rubbish every year. Much of the rubbish is buried(填埋) in soil or burned without being sorted. Landfills(填埋场) take up a lot of land and have a risk of polluting the soil and water nearby. And burning rubbish can produce harmful gases. Through rubbish sorting, we can reduce the use of landfills and air pollution.

What’s more, rubbish sorting saves resources, which could bring economic benefits(经济利益). For example, a ton of waste paper can be reused to make about 850kg of paper, saving 17 trees and 50 percent of water. Because of their benefits, some countries have developed successful sorting systems.

Japan has a strict and detailed system. When people throw away a water bottle, the cap, the wrapper(包装纸) and the bottle itself have to go into three different bins. Every year, families receive special rubbish sorting timetables and directions from their local governments. They are advised to follow the timetables and directions when they throw away rubbish.

In Australia, every family is provided with three rubbish bins—the red lid(盖子) bin for “general waste” like food and plastic bags, the yellow lid bin for “recycling” like steel and glass, and the green lid bin for “green waste” such as grass and leaves. On the streets, the bins are printed with pictures of the things that are allowed inside. It makes recycling quite easy.

1. Local people in Fangchengyuan Community will get ________ if they use the new system.

A．a new computer

B．a rubbish car

C．a lot of money

D．some small gifts

2. Which of the following is NOT the consequence(后果) of burying rubbish?

A．Polluting soil.	B．Protecting environment.
C．Polluting water.	D．Taking up a lot of land.

3. Paragraph 5 mainly tells us ________.

A．how to save resources	B．the benefits of rubbish sorting
C．how to reuse paper	D．the development of sorting systems

4. From Paragraph 6 and Paragraph 7, we know that ________ in Japan and Australia.

A．every family has different sorting timetables and directions

B．most of the people are not willing to obey the rules at all

C．the governments take action to advise people to sort rubbish

D．the bins on the streets and at home are printed the same pictures

5. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?

A．Beijing has created a new rubbish sorting system with QR codes.

B．Rubbish burying in landfills is as popular as rubbish sorting in bins.

C．Shenzhen and Shanghai only made laws to encourage rubbish sorting.

D．The strict and detailed system makes recycling quite hard in Australia.

【推荐2】In China, each year we produce about 150 million tons of city waste according to a report. Where does the waste go? People usually burn or bury（埋）it. On the other hand, we receive waste from some developed countries. We get useful materials from it. What about the useless part? Still burned or buried. But is it a proper way?

Waste pollutes the environment, harms people’s health and causes animals to die. It also gets in the way of green and sustainable（可持续的）development. We can’t make money at the cost of the environment. We should leave clean water and green mountains to our next generations.

China is getting really serious about waste now.

We are taking less waste from developed countries. From January 2018, China started to stop 24 kinds of waste coming into our country. And more laws and rules about dealing with waste have been made. Anyone who breaks the law will be punished.

China also tries to put waste into good use. One example is the waste electricity factories. They burn waste to make electricity in a green way. No harmful gases or water will get into the environment.

The Chinese government is encouraging people to do waste sorting（分类）. Cities like Shanghai, Chongqing and Beijing have their own sorting systems. More will join them soon. As President Xi Jinping said during a visit to Shanghai, waste sorting is a new fashion. More and more people are forming the habit of separating their waste.

1. How does the writer lead in the passage?

A．By telling stories.

B．By giving suggestions.

C．By raising questions.

2. Which one is not the harm of the waste?

A．Recycle the waste.

B．Pollute the environment.

C．Cause animals to die.

3. China began to prevent some certain kinds of waste coming into our country from ______ .

A．February 2018

B．January 2018

C．January 2016

4. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Waste sorting starts to become popular in China.

B．China stops getting waste from developed countries.

C．Waste does harm only to the environment.

5. What does the last paragraph mainly tell us?

A．China tries to put waste into good use.

B．The Chinese government is encouraging people to do waste sorting.

C．Waste sorting is a serious problem.

【推荐3】

Did you throw something away today? The answer for most people would be yes. But where does our rubbish go?

    1     Every day, workers come to take the rubbish from our rubbish bins. They put it into a big truck and carry it to landfills (垃圾填埋场), At the landfills people sort (分类) the rubbish. They recycle some, burn some and bury (埋) some of it underground. The more rubbish gets recycled, the better. It means that less rubbish ends up in landfills. Landfills can also be bad for the environment.

So many Chinese cities encourage everyone to sort out their rubbish before throwing it away. Put the food in one bag. Put the plastic bottles in another.     2     In this way, we can help save a lot of time, money and energy for all of society.

    3     So they have higher recycling rates (比率). In Sweden, only 4 percent of household waste ends up inland fills every year. In Japan, people recycle nearly 50 percent of all rubbish.

There is still a lot to do when it comes to rubbish sorting in China. People in the country make about 300 million tons of rubbish every year.     4     The rest of it ends up in landfills. Most of it is unsorted. The good news is that many cities are trying different ways to make things better.     5     If people sort out their rubbish, they’ll get We Chat bonus points. They can exchange the bonus points for shopping cards!

A．Many foreign countries have good sorting systems.

B．But they only recycle less than a quarter of the waste.

C．It doesn’t just sit in the rubbish bin.

D．Beijing will start a new program to improve rubbish sorting next year.

E．And throw them in the right rubbish bins.