For years, it has been said that newspapers are dying. Every year brings more news of closing. But why is the situation so terrible for newspapers?
Newspapers have a long history. The first newspaper was printed in the 1600s. Their most successful period is in the early 20th century.
With the appearance (出现) of radio and TV, however, newspaper circulation (发行量) began to fall. By the mid-20th century, radio and TV had become so popular that people no longer had to depend on newspapers for news.
Afternoon newspapers were the first to fall. After work, more and more people turned on TV instead of opening a newspaper. That was because TV could provide news that happened a short time ago. It’s true that newspapers couldn’t compete with TV on speed, but they could provide in-depth (深入详尽的) reports that TV news could not.
But newspapers suffered another heavier blow (打击) in the 1990s. With the appearance of the Internet, tons of information became free. Many newspaper readers realized that they could read news on the Internet.
So will newspapers die in the future? Many newspapers are now making changes. Some are going digital. Some are going farther and taking the industry to places it has never been to. After all, people still want the news. If newspapers disappear completely, there will be nothing to take their place.
1. What made the newspaper circulation fall?2. Why did more and more people watch TV instead of reading a newspaper?
3. How are newspapers now making changes?
4. Where would you like to get news, from TV, the Internet or newspapers? Why? (Write 30 words or more.)
2 . Wukong, Tiangong, Tianwen ... Do you know where the names of Chinese space programs come from?
Wukong, the Dark Matter Particle Explorer satellite (暗物质粒子探测卫星), is named after (以……而命名) Chinese superhero Monkey King. According to Journey to the West, Monkey King has a pair of sharp eyes (火眼金睛) which can tell the difference between good and evil (恶). The Wukong satellite is just as sharp-eyed as Monkey King to help scientists look for dark matter in space.
The name of the space station, Tiangong, means “Heavenly Palace”. In Chinese myths, this is the home of Tian Di. Now Tiangong Space Station is a home for Chinese astronauts in space. And China welcomes foreign astronauts to Tiangong so that they can work together.
Tianwen, China’s Mars missions (火星任务), gets its name from the poem Tianwen by Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan is a famous poet from ancient China. In Tianwen, he had the questions about the sky, stars, nature, myths and the real world, showing his hunger (渴望) for truth. Perhaps the Tianwen missions will end up answering some of Qu Yuan’s questions.
If you look into more names of Chinese space programs, you will find that they all have beautiful meanings. We, the Chinese people, have a long-cherished (珍藏已久的) space dream. So the naming of Chinese space programs is taken very seriously.
1. What is the Wukong satellite used for?| A．Answering some of Qu Yuan’s questions. |
| B．Finding the difference between good and evil. |
| C．Helping scientists search for dark matter in space. |
| D．Welcoming foreign astronauts to the space station. |
| A．poems | B．fairy tales | C．sayings | D．diaries |
| A．Qu Yuan’s poem Tianwen | B．an ancient novel |
| C．ancient Chinese myths | D．Journey to the West |
| A．What Beautiful Names! | B．What a Cherished Star! |
| C．What Excellent Poems! | D．What a Long Journey! |
3 . Air is everywhere. Air is so important that we can’t live without it. Have you heard of the news that air is sold by villagers? It’s reported that villagers in some areas of Guangdong are putting their clear air to good use by selling it to tourists who live in heavy smog (雾霾).
At the weekend, people from big cities in the Pearl River Delta (珠江三角洲) come to the northern area of Guangdong, including the 1,417-metre-high Gold Mountain, which is famous for its clean air.
Villagers in the mountain sell air stored in plastic bags at prices from 30 yuan for a big bag to 10 yuan for a small one.
Zhi Chenglin, a Gold Mountain local person, was the first to come up with the idea after giving up his job in Guangzhou. He said he returned to his hometown because he couldn’t bear the air and environment in Guangzhou.
Several women from Guangzhou said they bought bags of air as a way to make more people pay much attention to the environmental protection when they returned home.
“We’ll analyse (分析) the air, make a comparison (对比), and tell friends how bad the air in Guangzhou is becoming,” said one woman.
In the past few days, 21 cities and counties of Guangdong province have been enveloped (笼罩) in smog.
Blue sky, white clouds, fresh air and clean water, we are looking forward to them.
1. Why do villagers sell air?| A．Because they use this way to make money. |
| B．Because there are tourists who meet environmental problems. |
| C．Because the air in Guangdong is the clearest in the world. |
| D．Because there are some of tourists advising them to sell air. |
| A．To show how clear the air in Guangdong province is. |
| B．To show the opinions from people about selling air. |
| C．To show the condition of current (现在的) environment. |
| D．To make more people pay attention to the environment. |
| A．Selling air is illegal (不合法的). |
| B．The villagers have made more money by selling the air. |
| C．The air in the village is better than Guangzhou. |
| D．The behavior of selling air is not accepted by some people. |
| A．Social cases | B．Environmental protection |
| C．Future life | D．People and nature |
| Wrapped up in new shoes Do your shoes fit? If not, Furoshiki Shoes could be a better choice. Furoshiki is a traditional cloth in Japan. People used it for wrapping, holding and carrying things. Italian shoemaker Vibram used it in a new way and made Furoshiki Shoes. The shoes have no laces (鞋带). You just need to wrap them around your feet and fasten with velcro (尼龙搭扣). They are pretty easy to put on. They look comfortable, too. |
| Want to go faster when you walk to school?Wear this pair of wheelson your shoes! Airtrick E-skates can easily be fastened to your shoes. Batteries inside give power to the skates. It can go for 10 to 15 kilometers after charging (充电) for 2 hours. There are four speed settings. The skates’ top speed is 28 kilometers per hour. |
| Put some beer in the soles of your shoes. A creative design can make you walk on beer! Recently, the Dutch beer company Heincken introduced new sneakers that have soles (鞋底) filled with beer. Designer Dominic used a special surgical injection (手术注射) to put beer into the soles. By wearing these special sneakers, people can get a special feeling as the beer flows inside the sole. They can enjoy a smooth and comfortable experience as they walk. |
1. Furoshiki Shoes ________.
| A．are made of cloth | B．look nice having no laces |
| C．are traditional shoes in Japan | D．are more comfortable than traditional shoes |
| A．Charging shoes | B．Powerful batteries | C．The fastest wheels | D．Get your need for speed |
| A．18 | B．28 | C．38 | D．48 |
| A．can fly like a bee | B．can always smell beer |
| C．will feel comfortable | D．will enjoy walking |
What is adolescence (青春期)? When does it start? It starts when you are aged between about ten and thirteen. Here are some changes about you during adolescence. You may not want to spend as much time with your parents as you used to. You want to do more things on your own. In the past, your parents made decisions for you. But now you want to decide for yourself and don’t want to be told what to do.
All these changes are completely normal, but they will influence your relationship with your parents. So what can you do to make it better?
Firstly, your parents will feel much better if you let them know that you still love them. Remember that they don’t have the small child you used to be. They may not say so, but they probably feel something is missing. So try to show your love to them from time to time.
Secondly, try to agree to rules. You may feel these rules are not necessary, but your parents just want to make sure you stay safe. Once you agree to the rules, try to follow them.
Thirdly, try to understand why they feel upset about your behavior. Do your parents get angry when you spend three hours talking with friends and leave your homework till the last minute? That’s probably because they want you to do well at school.
Finally, it’s all about communication! Keep talking to your parents, tell them about what you did today, let them know where you are going, and ask for advice if you need.
1. When does adolescence usually start?2. What does the writer think of the changes during adolescence?
3. How many suggestions does the writer give us to have a better relationship with parents during adolescence?
4. Which suggestion is the most helpful to you? Why? Write 30 words or more
6 . China has completed its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (卫星导航系统), or BDS, becoming another one in the world with a global (全球的) navigation network, the other three being GPS of the US, GLONASS of Russia and Galileo of the European Union.
As the name suggests, the global navigation satellite system provides navigation and location services 24 hours a day. From what we have known so far, building a good satellite system costs a lot. Why does China have a new one if there is nothing special?
The other three systems have 24 satellites in MEO. Besides the 24 satellites, China’s new global navigation satellite system BeiDon-3 also has three satellites in GEO and three in IGSO. What’s special about these six satellites is that they have a relatively fixed area of activity. This can improve BDS’ accuracy (精准度) in China and the Asia-Pacific region to 5 meters, compared with a 10-meter accuracy in other areas.
BDS has another advantage - the short message service. It allows users to have a two-way communication. In areas not covered by communication signals (信号), BDS can make the short message service available in uninhabited areas, such as deserts, forests, mountainous and polar areas. With this service, users who are in danger can tell the rescue team (救援队) their location and condition.
In fact, BDS is also good business. According to the official report, China’s satellite industry has kept a 20% annual growth since 2012. And BDS contributes (贡献) about 80% of it. BDS has also created countless high-paying jobs. And with continuous improvement, it will have much more to offer in the future.
1. BDS is the ________ global navigation network in the world.| A．third | B．fourth | C．fifth | D．sixth |
| A．24 | B．27 | C．30 | D．36 |
| A．A place that is very high | B．A place with lots of animals |
| C．A place impossible to get to | D．A place with no people living in it |
| A．It can only be used in China. |
| B．It is good for China’s development. |
| C．It has made lots of people lose their jobs. |
| D．It doesn’t work in areas where there is no communication signal. |
7 . What subject do you worry about the most at school? Many students worry about math. Some students can’t sleep well the day before a math exam. Others may feel very nervous during the exam itself. But there might be a way to make the subject less stressful.
“For people who are anxious about math, posture (姿势) makes a big difference,” Erik Peper from San Francisco State University told the Daily Mail. That’s right—sitting up straight can help you do better on math exams.
Scientists tested 125 college students. They asked them to do a simple math quiz (测试) while siting in a slumped-over (趴倒的) position, or sitting up straight. After the test, 56 percent of students said the exam was easier to do if they were sitting up straight.
Slumping over is a defensive (防御的) posture. It can trigger (激发) negative memories in the body and brain. This can stop you from thinking clearly, Peper said.
Students who were not nervous about taking the math exam did not necessarily benefit from better posture. But they did find that doing math while slumped over was more difficult, Science Daily reported.
Good posture isn’t just helpful for taking math exams. Athletes, musicians and public speakers can all benefit from better posture. When you feel stressed out, you can also try to sit up straight or stand tall. It can help you feel more positive and focus better.
1. When some students face math, they feel ________.| A．sleepy | B．relaxed | C．stressed | D．active |
| A．Standing tall. | B．Slumping over. | C．Sitting up straight. | D．Staying up late. |
| A．The advantages of positive postures. | B．How to relax in an exam. |
| C．A good way to have math tests. | D．Who usually slumps over. |
| A．Sports. | B．Advertisement. | C．Science. | D．Travel. |
8 . Your handshake is a part of your first impression (印象). Do you want your handshake to say good things about you? Here are some ways to help you learn how to shake hands correctly.
Know who to start. The person in a higher position or who is older should be the first one to reach out a hand. For example, if you are interviewed for a job, the interviewer should be the one to take the lead.
Don’t offer an unannounced handshake. If you offer someone your hand when they aren’t paying attention, they may not shake hands with you. It doesn’t mean the person doesn’t want to shake your hand. So start with a greeting to let others know that you’re here.
The handshake often lasts about 2 to 5 seconds. Most people don’t spend more time shaking hands. If the other person holds your hand for more than five seconds, politely withdraw (撤回) your hand.
Don’t show a sweaty (出汗的) hand. If you hand someone a sweaty hand, you may make them uncomfortable. Before shaking their hand, dry your own hand. If you’re holding a drink, hold it in your left hand so that it won’t make your right hand wet or sweaty because we often use our right hand to shake hands with others.
Shake hands in an up-and-down direction. Don’t go back and forward or side to side. Don’t swing the other person’s hand more than three times. It may make the other person uncomfortable.
1. What should you do before shaking hands with others?| A．Hit them on the back. | B．Greet them politely to get their attention. |
| C．Ask them to wash their hands first. | D．Tell them how to shake hands. |
| A．A sweaty hand | B．The other person’s hand |
| C．A drink | D．An announced handshake |
| A．How to shake hands correctly | B．Know who to shakes hands with |
| C．What to do before shaking hands | D．When to shake hands with others |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
Do you still remember the cultural TV show National Treasure hosted by Zhang Guoli on China Central TV? As a cultural show, this program is to show the background stories about some national treasures. The treasures in the show are presented by national treasure keepers who tell their stories with the collections in a special way. Today, I’ll introduce two treasures to you.
| Name | Sword of Goujian (越王勾践剑) | Tiger﹣Shaped Tally (杜虎符) |
| Material | Bronze (青铜) | Bronze |
| When it was made | The Spring and Autumn Period (770﹣476 BC) | The Warring States Period (475﹣221 BC) |
| Length | 55. 7cm | 9. 5cm |
| Width | 4. 6cm | |
| Height | 4. 4cm | |
| Weight | 875g | |
| When and where it was discovered | 1965, Jiangling, Hubei Province | 1975, Shenjiaqiao in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province |
| Museum | Hubei Provincial Museum | Shaanxi History Museum |
| National treasure keeper | Duan Yihong | Liu Yijun |
| A．CCTV | B．Shaanxi TV | C．Hubei TV | D．Hunan TV |
| A．steel (钢) | B．bronze | C．gold (金) | D．silver (银) |
| A．shorter than | B．the same as | C．longer than | D．half of |
| A．30 | B．40 | C．50 | D．60 |
| A．Wang Kai | B．Liu Yijun | C．Zhang Guoli | D．Duan Yihong |
In classes, your teachers will talk about the topics that you are studying. They provide important information for you to know when you take tests. So you must be able to take good written notes from what your teachers say. Here are the three stages（阶段） of taking notes and what you should do during each stage.
1.Before Class
Review your notes you have taken before you come to class. This will be good for remembering what was covered, and get you ready to understand new information in class.
2.During Class
Keep your attention on what your teacher is saying and “the signal words” that tell you what your teacher is going to say and it is important to write them in your notes. Examples of signal words are “the most important point… and remember that…”. Be sure to include in your notes information that your teacher repeats or writes on the blackboard. Write quickly so that you can include all the important information in your notes. Do this by writing abbreviations（缩写） such as med for medicine, using symbols such as “%” for percent, and writing short sentences.
3.After Class
Rewrite your notes to make them more complete and accurate（准确） by changing abbreviation into whole words, symbols into words, and shortened sentences into longer sentences. Use them to answer your questions. If necessary, ask your teacher for help.
| The information | |
| Before Class | ☆ Review the notes you have taken to remember what was covered. ☆ Prepare to |
| ☆ Listen to your teacher carefully. ☆ Be sure to include the important points. ☆Write them down quickly by writing abbreviation. | |
| After Class | ☆ Make your notes more complete and accurate to answer your questions. ☆ |
