1 . In a world where technology is king, it is getting more and more difficult to keep up with the ‘R’s — VR., AR. MR’ (iPhone) XR and the list goes on.
Many people have trouble telling the differences between augmented-reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). AR and VR mean that we experience something that isn’t there but it feels like it is. As a result, it is easy for users to be blown away and wonder what is real and what is not. In short, at the heart of AR and VR are two very similar technologies. Both offer experiences to users. most widely used in areas such as online shopping and as part of psychological treatments.
▲ The main difference lies in the way of transport. Simply put, VR ‘transports’ the user to another world instead of the real one. It uses computer technology to create a 3D environment. Users not only view a screen in front of them, but also use as many senses as possible, such as vision, hearing, touch, even smell. Imagine opening your eyes and seeing a new world created by the computer all around you: you can move in this environment and even communicate with it. That’s what VR is like. For example, VR has the power to make users feel as if they are falling. So sometimes while playing games, users become nervous and even scared.
AR, does not shut out the real world, but adds digital graphics to a live view often by using the camera on a smartphone. Users would not be “transported’ to another world but instead, they would see graphics created by computers with what they see in real life. It does not, change the whole view of what users see, unlike VR.
Thanks to new technology and successful games, AR and VR users already have a lot of choices. AR and VR are both powerful technologies which are still relatively new to many users. However, they have already begun to shake things up in the gaming world. The worlds of AR and VR aren’t just here; they’re getting bigger and better by the day.
1. Both AR and VR ________.| A．let users experience something that is already there |
| B．can only be used as part of psychological treatments |
| C．encourage users to go online shopping more frequently |
| D．use similar technologies to create virtual environments |
| A．What’s more, AR and VR will be widely used in more areas. |
| B．Besides, AR and VR have nothing to do with the real world. |
| C．In a way, AR and VR offer their users the same experience. |
| D．However, AR and VR can be quite different in many ways. |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．AR and VR are so popular that everyone knows them well. |
| B．AR and VR are two very different and creative technologies. |
| C．AR and VR may not change people’s way of life in the future. |
| D．AR and VR are very powerful technologies and can go further. |
2 . It’s said that cats are not just pets to us all these years. They are, in fact, learning from their owners and taking them as models. Scary, huh?
A new study from the University of Messina shows that indoor cats who live closely to their owners copy the lives of their owners. For example, they sleep at the same time and eat at the same time. Just like a parent for a child, the same is true for a cat owner and his cat.
Many owners think their cats are as family members, so they spend much time with cats, hoping to give the best care and love for their cats. This is one of reasons the cats learn from their owner’s actions.
Another reason is that cats are clever animals with a long memory. Jane Brunt, director of the Catalyst Council, told Discovery News. “Cats watch us and notice our actions, knowing where their food is and what time to eat meals, where the washing areas are and how to open the cupboard door that’s closed.”
A new study also shows that cats understand 25—35 basic men’s words, such as food, eat, sit, no, stay, and stand. If owners train a cat to learn these words, cats will got closer to them. But in fact, cats can’t understand our ‘meows’.
So try to do better when you are in front of cats. If you spend a lot of time searching the kitchen, your cat will copy you and take food to its bowl for the night meal, too. That’s why cat owners and cats overweight rates often seem to synchronize.
Next time you reach for your kitchen, think twice. If your cat is watching, maybe she will overeat as well.
1. The text is mainly about ________.| A．cats and owners |
| B．cats and home |
| C．cats and language |
| D．cats and parents |
| A．change quickly | B．go down |
| C．get lower | D．be the same |
| A．Cats can learn from men’s actions. |
| B．Cat can’t find food from closed cupboard. |
| C．Cats are always looking at their owners. |
| D．Cats understand most of our language. |
| A．people need to live with the cats |
| B．children can keep cats in their houses |
| C．people should share the story of cats and men |
| D．pet owners should have healthier ways of life |
A Guide to Have More Fun
When is the last time you had fun? Felt truly happy? If you’re making efforts not to be bored in your life, we’ll offer you expert advice on how to have more fun.
◎Find a new hobby. You may not be having as much as you want because you feel like you’re doing the same old thing day after day. 1 It will not only provide something to look forward to in your daily life, but it will also make you more open to new ideas.
◎ 2 Experts suggest that music helps reduce (减少) stress and improves your feelings. Every time you feel stressed, turn on a song you like to reduce your stress. By doing so, you’ll make it a part of your daily activities which will improve your feelings.
◎Take a trip together. Travel is great for your mental health. 3 And try to improve your relationships with the people you travel with. Travel doesn’t have to be big or expensive either. It can be as simple as taking a road trip just a few hours away.
◎ 4 You won’t seriously influence your productivity if you take the time to enjoy a little game once in a while. Even just playing with silly putty while you’re at your desk will make your study day a little more enjoyable.
Even busy with your study, it’s still important to find time for fun. It makes your life not so boring and offers lots of health benefits like less stress, better memory and more energy.
A. Listen to music.
B. Play some games.
C. Stay alone at home.
D. Get a change of scene.
E. Try a new activity you love.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. What else can you do to have more fun?
Humans are getting away from the nature gradually because of the developing technology. But now Digital Technology is offering us an opportunity to listen to the sounds in the nature in powerful ways, making us get closer to the worlds of animals and plants.
All around the nature, there are sounds that we struggle to pick up and understand. Elephants, for example, communicate with each other using infrasound, a sound far below our human hearing range. Coral in the ocean also communicates with each other through sound waves, with one purpose of attracting baby coral to areas where it can successfully grow. This is a shocking fact as coral doesn’t have any ears!
To pick up sounds humans are normally unable to hear, scientists have placed listening devices in these environments. Researchers have attached tiny microphones to honeybees and turtles, and stuck listening posts that can receive different sound waves from coral reefs and trees. These devices are controlled by computers and networked with digital sensors and satellites. When interconnected, these digital devices work like a hearing aid: enabling humans to observe and record nature’s sounds beyond the limits of our own listening ability. After the sounds are recorded, AI is then able to determine their meanings.
With this technology, humans can not only understand the animals, but also communicate back to them. For example, a team of researchers in Germany decoded the honeybees’ behavior with AI. Then they taught tiny robots how to do the honeybee dance. Using these dancing machines, the scientists were able to order the honeybees to stop moving, and to communicate where to fly to collect a specific nectar. In addition to the possibility of speaking with animals, the research could also be used to create a form of healing for animals and plants. That’s to say, in the near future, scientists might be able to get coral to grow in certain areas by playing “healthy reef” sounds, which could help to heal some of the damage we have caused.
Now, Digital Technology provides a new way for humans to listen to the vivid sounds all around us. The dream of allowing humans to socialize with different animals and plants throughout the nature is being on its way.
1. According to the passage, now people can use Digital Technology to ________.| A．see coral’s ears | B．listen to the sounds of trees |
| C．play with elephants | D．dance with honeybees themselves |
a. Analyze the meanings with the help of AI. b. Place listening devices into the nature world.
c. Collect the sounds from the animals or plants. d. Connect the devices with computers and networks.
| A．b→d→c→a | B．b→c→d→a | C．c→b→a→d | D．c→d→b→a |
| A．More people will choose to live in the nature. |
| B．There will be much fewer animals in the nature. |
| C．People can protect the environment more easily. |
| D．Robots can be used to communicate with anything. |
| A．Digital-tech: An Invention to Change People’s Life |
| B．Digital-tech: A Suggestion to Rebuild the Nature World |
| C．Digital-tech: An Aid to Enable People to Hear Everything |
| D．Digital-tech: A Skill to Help People to Talk with the Nature |
About 50 percent of food in the US is wasted. Wasted food produces gas that will cause global warming, and brings other problems like energy emergency. To reduce food waste, people in the food packaging industry are working to develop products for longer shelf life.
Jonathan Deutsch, a professor of food science, says, “All food packaging is designed to explain the contents, protect the quality, and make sure the safety of the product. “When packaging keeps food safe and fresh for a longer time, less waste happens.
Making food last longer is not easy because different foods need different packaging. Fats, for example, change when meeting air and light. That’s why fatty foods, like potato chips, are always kept in packages which light can’t get through. And cookies are afraid of getting wet. Keeping those snacks in a fully closed package will help them stay fresh and tasty longer.
Packaging can extend shelf life by keeping out gases in the air, like oxygen*. Oxygen causes problems for many different foods. So many food packages are designed to solve the air problem. Vacuum-sealed packaging takes off any oxygen between the food and packaging, which can increase shelf life from a few days to a few weeks. Modified atmosphere packaging is another solution. Unlike vacuum-sealed packaging, which takes off as much air as possible, this packaging replaces the air with a right mixture of gases. Red meat needs some oxygen to keep its colour, but too much oxygen can make it go bad. This kind of packaging can extend shelf life while keeping the product’s colour.
While packaging can help reduce food waste, people also need to consider the environmental influence of the packaging itself. Scientists are working to develop more proper materials. And more people get to know the importance of reducing food waste. “Unlike many of the challenges we face right now on our planet,” said Shukla from Food & Wine magazine, “Food waste is something that every single person can do something about.”
1. People work on food packaging to make food ________.| A．produce more energy | B．produce less harmful gas |
| C．be kept for a longer time | D．be away from air pollution |
| A．explain food must be kept without light |
| B．explain packaging depends on the food type |
| C．show wasted food is bad for the environment |
| D．show food goes bad quickly when getting wet |
| A．Packages are designed to keep oxygen inside. |
| B．Vacuum-sealed packaging is used to package red meat. |
| C．The materials of packages are friendly to the environment. |
| D．Modified atmosphere packaging mixes air properly in packages. |
| A．How to Package Food | B．Creative Packaging Designs |
| C．Food Waste: Causes and Solutions | D．Packaging: A Way to Fight Food Waste |
“No building comes without carvings (雕刻), and carvings make buildings more valuable,” goes an old saying in Minnan, an area in southern Fujian Province. The saying refers to brick carvings, which were an important feature of the old red brick buildings in the area.
The carvings were once commonly found on either side of the main entrance of Minnan’s buildings. However, with development, the number of ancient red brick buildings has decreased, and Minnan’s brick carvings have gradually faded (逐渐消失) from sight, said Wu Jiandong, a young master brick carver from Fujian’s Quanzhou City.
The 42-year-old has learned the traditional technique and now combines it with modern tastes to develop his own style of brick carving. Wu said that he hoped to be able to help the traditional craft continue through innovation (创新). ①
“Market demands have changed in recent years, and so has our thinking,” Wu said. “We must add modern elements to help pass down and develop traditional crafts.” ②
People in Minnan love tea, so Wu created a series of carved brick tea decorations, including tea plates, cup holders, pot holders and other items. ③
Earlier this year, a pendant (挂件) decorated with a swallow tail ridge (屋脊) and a bright moon was bought by an overseas Chinese man from the Philippines. The customer told Wu that he would hang the pendant in his office as a reminder of the architecture and the moon of his hometown.
Because of the market’s recognition of his work, Wu will be able to pass down the craft and further develop his pieces, and the popularity of short videos has also given him new hopes of promoting (推广) Minnan brick carvings. ④
The art form originated during the Song Dynasty flourished (繁荣) during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is now an important part of national cultural heritage.
1. What’s the writer’s purpose in mentioning the saying at the beginning?| A．To attract more people to visit Minnan. |
| B．To give advice on developing brick carvings. |
| C．To introduce an area in southern Fujian Province. |
| D．To show the importance of brick carvings in Minnan. |
| A．Wu’s most customers came from abroad. |
| B．The pendant of brick carving becomes popular. |
| C．Wu’s brick pieces are warmly received all over the world. |
| D．Brick carvings become symbols of homesickness for overseas Chinese. |
| A．① | B．② | C．③ | D．④ |
| A．The history of Minnan’s brick carvings | B．Minnan’s brick carving art is coming back |
| C．The ancient red brick buildings in Minnan | D．An artist with his own style of brick carvings |
The sun shows its face every day, but an amazing new telescope is showing a whole different view of it. And guess what? Our familiar friend in the sky has some impressive features! Seen from the earth without a fancy telescope, the sun looks like a big sugar cookie shining in the sky. However, in detailed photos and videos got by the new telescope, the sun’s surface looks lumpy and bumpy.
These amazing images are taken by the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), the most powerful solar telescope in the world. As a project of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the telescope is named after a U.S. politician who represented the state of Hawaii, which is home to the high-tech, high-resolution wonder.
The DKIST is at the top of Haleakalā on the island of Maui, which is…a volcano! While that might sound like a risky place for a $344-million telescope. What’s more, the combination of high elevation, low air disturbance, and deep blue skies make it an ideal location to study the sun. Modern astronomers aren’t the first to recognize that Haleakalā has a special connection to the sun—ancient Hawaiians were far earlier than them. The top of Haleakalā is admired by native Hawaiians, who gave the place its name “House of the Sun.”
Now, after ten years’ construction, the DKIST is sunbathing in this high spot. When the telescope’s first videos and photos were posted, they attracted wild media attention like a superstar, but the NSF has much bigger goals. The astronomers want to study the surface of the sun to better predict solar weather.
Why would people want a weather forecast for a place that’s over 145 million kilometers away? Because events on the surface of the sun can end up affecting us right here at home. Solar weather can disable satellite systems and GPS tracking systems and even cause blackouts, in which large areas temporarily lose electricity. In 2017, solar flares disabled radio communications as three hurricanes were attacking the Caribbean. As you can imagine, that was a terrible shock to emergency response capability.
By studying the images the DKIST captures, scientists hope to learn how to predict solar weather in time for people to plan in advance and prevent disasters. Meanwhile, we can all enjoy getting an eye-opening new view of the sun!
1. Which of the following is TRUE according to the first three paragraphs?| A．The sun looks like a big sugar cookie in the DKIST’s image. |
| B．The telescope is named after a famous U.S. astronomer. |
| C． The top of Haleakalā is an ideal place for the solar research. |
| D． Modern astronomers named the top of Haleakalā “House of the Sun.” |
| A．sight | B．memory | C．electric power | D．GPS system |
| A．take amazing pictures and videos of the sun |
| B．attract more public attention of the sun |
| C．show the rapid progress of the solar research |
| D．better predict solar weather and prevent disasters |
| A．New View of the Sun | B．A Prediction of the Solar Research |
| C．Weather Forecast for the Sun | D．The Best Location for Solar Research |
Building started in AD 122 and finished in AD 130, the Hadrian’s Wall goes across from the east to the west coast of northern Britain. It was built to control people entering the Roman Empire from what is now Scotland. A colorful new artwork was made last year to celebrate the Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival.
The artwork stands beside the remains of the Hadrian’s Wall. It is called The Future Belongs To What Was As Much As What Is. It is 9 metres wide and 16 metres tall. The artwork was designed by artist Myerscough, who is known for her bright and colorful creations. “The moment I stood in the remains and found they were unchanged from Roman times, I had an overwhelming feeling of wanting to make an artwork here. I knew immediately this was the right place.” said Myerscough.
Myerscough worked with the poet Ellen Moran and community groups to create the artwork. And the wall of the artwork is covered with small signs painted by local people. Some words and phrases on the signs were chosen by the poet Ellen Moran, such as “freedom”, “love” and “everybody’s welcome”. The artwork attracted lots of tourists. Anybody who visited would love it, because they could go inside it and look down, to see the same view as Roman soldiers had seen. It could help people see the Hadrian’s Wall from a different perspective.
As part of the Hadrian’s Wall 1900 Festival, the art celebration was open to the public until 30th October, 2022. After that, the artwork was completely removed and the signs were given back to the local people who helped paint them.
1. According to the passage, where is Hadrian’s Wall on the map?A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．strong | B．tiring | C．uncertain | D．unforgettable |
| A．Myerscough created the bright artwork by herself. |
| B．Local people chose the words on the artwork wall. |
| C．Roman soldiers saw views better through the artwork. |
| D．The artwork closed down after 30th October, 2022. |
| A．A tourist attraction in Rome times |
| B．Hadrian’s Wall, a symbol of peace |
| C．Art celebration for Hadrian’s Wall |
| D．An artist known for bright artworks |
Biotech foods are produced from animals and plants that have been made genetically different. Genetic alteration is nothing new. Humans have been changing the genetic features of plants for thousands of years by keeping seeds from the best crops and planting them the following years, and by breeding varied kinds to make them taste sweeter, grow bigger, or last longer.
Traditional breeders always used plants or animals that were related, or genetically similar. However, today’s genetic engineers can transfer just a few genes at a time between species that are distantly related, or not related at all. There are surprising examples: Mouse genes have been put into lettuce plants to make a plant that produces vitamin C. Moth genes have been put into apple trees to help it from being affected by diseases. Anyway, the purpose of traditional and modern techniques is the same to insert genes from an animal or plant that carries a desired feature into one that does not.
Q: ?
According to a 2016 report from the National Academy of Sciences, “No differences have been found that show a higher risk to human health and safety from these genetic foods (GE foods) than from non-GE ones.” Some GE foods might even be safer than non-GE foods.
However, many people fear that when moving genes across completely different species, something could go wrong in the function of the inserted gene or that of the host DNA, with the possibility of unexpected health effects.
Q: Can biotech foods help feed the world?
According to the WHO, between 250,000 and 500,000 kids go blind every year in short of vitamin A, with half of those children dying of losing their sight. “Golden rice”—a biotech variety named for its yellow color—is thought to be a possible solution to the suffering and illness caused by vitamin A shortage.
Other experts, however, hold the opposite opinion. “Golden rice alone won’t greatly reduce vitamin A shortage.” says Professor Nestle of New York University. “Whether it will improve vitamin A levels remains to be seen.”
Q: What’s next?
Whether biotech foods will help get rid of world hunger or improve the lives of all remains to be seen. Their possibility is extremely large, yet they carry risks. If science goes on with great care, testing new products completely and using dependable judgment, the world may avoid the dangers of genetic alteration while enjoying its benefits.
1. Traditional breeders bred an animal or plant by ________.| A．keeping the gene of the same plant each year |
| B．using some related plants or animals to breed |
| C．creating an animal or plant with undesired features |
| D．transferring a few genes at a time from one plant to another |
| A．What exactly are biotech foods |
| B．How to insert genes into biotech foods |
| C．Are biotech foods really safe for humans |
| D．Can biotech foods harm the environment |
| A．with care, the use of biotech foods could possibly be realized |
| B．the world has already seen great progress thanks to biotech foods |
| C．biotech food development has been slowed by the many related risks |
| D．the risks of biotech foods seem to be greater than any possible benefits |
| A．show both sides of the biotech food topic |
| B．make biotech foods seem as attractive as possible |
| C．convince the readers that biotech foods are dangerous |
| D．explain why biotech foods will probably not be successful |
Sweden is Northern Europe’s largest country. Known for its natural beauty, Sweden is also home to Stockholm, the capital city made up of 14 islands. Here are several interesting facts about this Land of the Midnight Sun.
People in Sweden can enjoy only a few hours of light in winter. Or if people live above the Arctic Circle, none at all. To keep safe in the dark, Swedes have different ways of seeing and being seen. Many places are lighted with high-powered spotlights, and kids wear reflectors sewn onto their clothes. Drivers keep their eyes open because they know children will be outside in the dark.
Being close to the Arctic Circle also means months of ice. Ice is especially good for sparking, which is both a form of transportation and a fun choice for walking. “Spark” means “kick” in Swedish, which is what a person does-kicks the spark along the ice while holding onto the back of the little seat and standing on one blade.
When it comes to waste management, Sweden is ahead of its time. Swedes recycle nearly 50% of what they throw away. What about the other half? This is what makes Sweden different from the rest of the world: the waste goes to a power station where it is burned and changed into energy. In 2016, Sweden even began bringing waste from other countries. In this way, Sweden gets 100 million dollars every year.
Want to know more? Head over to http:/www.go-to-sweden.com.
1. How many aspects does the writer tell us about Sweden?| A．One. | B．Three. | C．Five. | D．Seven. |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．The Land of Midnight Sun is Stockholm. | B．People enjoy the sunshine the whole year. |
| C．Sweden benefits from waste management. | D．Drivers wear special clothes to be seen well. |
| A．encourage people to visit Sweden | B．tell Swedish ways of recycling waste |
| C．show the writer’s love for Sweden | D．share something special about Swede |
