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. VR is used widely in many theme parks, like Disneyland. 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. AR makes it possible to create many interesting apps, such as the navigation. 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．are only used in online shopping | B．improve psychological treatments |
| C．create unreal environments for users | D．let users experience something already there |
| A．In a way, AR and VR create different worlds for users. |
| B．Besides, AR and VR will be widely used in different areas. |
| C．What’s more, AR and VR offer their users different games. |
| D．However, AR and VR can be quite different in many ways. |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．Technology is king. | B．Thanks to technology. |
| C．Get close to AR and VR. | D．The development of AR and VR. |
“Am I an ‘I’ person or an ‘E’ person?” It is a popular topic among young people around China today. Many people are crazy about it so that they take a personality test named Myers-Briggs test to find out the answer.
Many people find the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Test Indicator) useful. It groups people into 16 types, which start with the letter “I” or “E”, such as “ENTJ, INFP” or more. “E” is short for “Extroversion” while “I” is for “Introversion”. “I’m an ‘E’ person. I should go to the party and make more friends. ” “I’m an ‘I’ person. I’d like to work by myself. I could be a writer in the future. ” They believe different types can help them make decisions for activities, jobs or even life choices more quickly.
But there are also problems. Some people take the test for a second time and get different results. Some people find it hard to answer some questions. “I like watching TV by myself. But I also enjoy playing with friends. Am I an ‘I’ or an ‘E’? ”
When you take a personality test, you may think, “Oh, that’s me.” That’s because the descriptions are generic. They can be used to describe many people. Research has found that over 50% of people get a different score when they retook the MBTI just five weeks later. Personalities can change with time, and they are not black-or-white, scientists say. You may be introverted now but become extroverted when you get older. Or, you can be both an “I” and an “E”. Don’t label yourself! Studies have also shown that the test is not real at telling people’s success in different jobs. So, don’t take it too seriously.
1. MBTI is a test _______.| A．without a hot topic | B．with the same answer |
| C．about young people in China | D．for your personality type |
| A．like to read books in the library on vacation |
| B．like to cook simple meals at home on weekends |
| C．like to watch movies with a pet dog on Friday night |
| D．like to celebrate different festivals with different people |
| A．common | B．special | C．clear | D．simple |
| A．To introduce what MBTI is. | B．To tell whether MBTI is useful. |
| C．To explain how people use MBTI. | D．To list how many people use MBTI. |
3 . Recently, an online poll was held to choose the New Seven Wonders of the World. Over 100 million people voted. Here are four of the seven winners.
 | Chichen Itza, Mexico This was an important city for the Mayans. It was built between about 700 CE and 1000 CE. A symbol of Mayan culture, it was a centre for business in things like cloth, honey and salt. Most photographs show a 24-metre high pyramid. It’s amazing for tourists to see it in person. |
 | Christ the Redeemer statue, Brazil Built between 1922 and 1931, the statue has become a well-known sight of Brazil. The statue is about thirty metres high and the arms measure 28 metres end to end. Designed by a Frenchman and built by a local artist, it attracts thousands of visitors every year. |
 | The Colosseum, Italy This famous amphitheatre, built between 70 CE and 80 CE, was used by the Romans for about 500 years for all kinds of public performances. Now it is almost a complete ruin, as a result of earthquakes and the passage of time, but some parts can be visited. The Colosseum has become one of the most famous buildings of Italy. |
 | The Great Wall, China This amazing structure was built over a period of more than two thousand years, ending in the 16th century. It was built in order to keep out the enemies of Mongolia on the other side. The Great Wall is not actually just one continuous wall, but a succession of many different ones. At around 6, 500 kilometres, it’s one of the longest man-made wonders on the planet. |
1. According to the passage, ________ is the newest building.
| A．The Colosseum, Italy | B．Chichen Itza, Mexico |
| C．The Great Wall, China | D．Christ the Redeemer statue, Brazil |
| A．Chichen Itza is a center of tourists. |
| B．Christ the Redeemer statue was built by a Frenchman. |
| C．The Colosseum is used for all kinds of public performances now. |
| D．The Great Wall of China is one of the longest man-made wonders in the world. |
| A．IT. | B．Society. | C．Travel. | D．Business. |
Hi, I’m Toby from Happy School. This is a photo of my school. Walking into the school gate, you can see the classroom building in front of you. It’s where we have lessons. Near the gate, on the left is the office building. Our teachers’ office is in the building. The playground is behind the office building, in front of the sports hall. We play sports there in the PE class and after school. The library is on the right of the classroom building. There are five reading rooms for students and two for teachers. You can also borrow books. The building in front of the library, on the right of the school gate is for science. There are ten labs in this building.
| A. Science building B. Library C. Classroom building D. Dining hall E. Office building F. Sports hall |
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5 . Lately, the capybara, a cute animal, has become popular online. People love it for its friendly nature and relaxing lifestyle. Many people use its picture as their profile photo to show their love for it.
Capybaras live in South America and they are strong swimmers. Their small eyes, and hairless ears are located high on their heads to keep them alert when most of their body is underwater. Their pig-shaped bodies and short necks are adapted for life in bodies of water found in forests. They have dark brown fur, allowing them to quickly dry when on land.
Capybaras are social animals. They are known to build relationships with other animals. They like to stay on their own, but if human or other animals try to get close to them, they will never run away and will communicate with them, even with large and strong animals such as crocodiles and gorillas. Sometimes capybaras become “________” while moving. They take small animals like birds, ducks, and even monkeys for a free ride.
They eat plants for a living and they won’t hurt other animals. Capybaras usually eat water plants in the morning and evening, spending the rest of the day bathing in water and resting on the shore. As the largest rodent animal in the world, Capybaras have only a few enemies. Living by water, it is easy for them to hide in the water to stay away from danger. They live such a comfortable life that nothing seems to make them worry.
Nowadays, Capybaras are getting popular as friends of humans. More and more people around the world want to raise a capybara as a pet. After all, no one can say no to such a cute and kind friend.
1. Mary uses the capybara as her profile photo, the photo may be ________A． | B． | C． | D． |
| A．lonely swimmers | B．forest cleaners | C．animal buses | D．human friends |
| A．It’s easy for them to live in the water. | B．They are the largest rodent animals. |
| C．They don’t have many natural enemies. | D．They don’t like hurting small animals. |
A． | B． | C． | D． |
6 . The scientific method is used for simple experiments that students may do in the classroom or very difficult experiments that scientists are doing all over the world. It is a way of thinking that helps you to avoid drawing incorrect conclusions.
There are usually four steps in the scientific method, including observation (观察), hypothesis (假设), experiment, and conclusion. The steps may not always be completed in the same order, but the first step is usually observation and asking a question about your observation. For example, you had a sick stomach, and ate a candy bar. An hour later, you observed that you felt much better. Here, you can ask a question, such as, “What makes a sick stomach feel better?”
The second step is to state a possible answer to the question, or a hypothesis, such as “A candy bar makes a sick stomach feel better” . A good hypothesis includes three things: The explanation for the observations, it is able to be tested, and it will usually predict new outcomes or conclusions.
The third step is the experiment, to test the hypothesis. An experiment is a test which will either challenge or support the hypothesis. The hypothesis will then be true or false.
The final step is to think about what happened when you tested the hypothesis and draw a conclusion. The conclusion will either clearly support the hypothesis or it will not. If the results support the hypothesis, a conclusion can be written and you can share it with the rest of the world. If it does not support the hypothesis, you may choose to change the hypothesis or write a new one based on what was learned during the experiment.
1. What are the usual steps in the scientific method?| A．Observation, hypothesis, experiment and prediction. |
| B．Hypothesis, experiment, conclusion and observation. |
| C．Experiment, conclusion, observation and hypothesis. |
| D．Observation, hypothesis, experiment and conclusion. |
| A．“I think candy bars are delicious.” |
| B．“A candy bar makes a sick stomach feel better.” |
| C．“Observing candy bars makes me happy.” |
| D．“Candy bars are a popular treat.” |
| A．The question | B．The hypothesis |
| C．The conclusion | D．The observation |
| A．The importance of conducting difficult experiments. |
| B．The steps and importance of the scientific method. |
| C．The challenges of forming a good hypothesis. |
| D．The role of candy bars in scientific experiments. |
7 . The temperature has dropped to 30 degrees below zero. But that doesn’t stop the fishermen of Songyuan City in Jilin Province. Each morning, they get up early and rush to Chagan Lake with a group of horses. The fishermen use the horses to help pull fishing nets out of the frozen（结冰的）lake.
For centuries, those living around Chagan Lake have kept alive the tradition of ice fishing. They dig holes through the thick ice and use a huge net to catch winter fish in the freezing waters. This special method has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage（非物质文化遗产）.
Every year in December, there is a winter fishing festival, which marks the beginning of the winter fishing season. Over 20 activities are held during the festival, such as winter sports competitions, nature watching, and the selling of the first-caught fish.
None of the tourists at this year’s festival would ever imagine that Chagan Lake used to be only tens of square kilometers in size. In the past, there was little rainfall and the lake grew smaller over time. Also, overfishing is one of the main reasons.
To bring Chagan Lake’s beauty back, the government used a lot of different methods. They brought in water from the Songhua River, grew more plants, and kept the water clean. The lake now covers about 500 square kilometers, and fish numbers have returned to a normal level. Now, an increasing number of tourists flock to the lake each year to experience the ancient ice-fishing tradition.
1. What do the fishermen in Songyuan City use horses for?| A．Pulling fishing nets. |
| B．Providing warmth in the cold. |
| C．Racing on the frozen lake. |
| D．Digging holes in the ice. |
| A．They use boats to travel through the frozen lake. |
| B．They set traps under the thick ice to catch fish. |
| C．They use horses to break the ice and catch fish. |
| D．They dig holes in the ice and use a net to catch fish. |
| A．The government kept the water in Songhua River clean. |
| B．The government created a winter fishing tourist festival. |
| C．The government planted vegetables around Chagan Lake. |
| D．The government brought in water from Songhua River. |
| A．Cover the lake with something. |
| B．Return in a good condition. |
| C．Move in large numbers. |
| D．Travel for a long time. |
8 . Is your father too busy every day? Does he have no time to play with you? If so, an “hourly dad” can help you.
In America, parents can hire(雇用) a man to act as their children’s father. The “hourly dad” takes a child to and from school and plays games with the child. He also helps the child with his or her homework. But he doesn’t need to eat with the family. People pay the “hourly dad” by the hour.
People like “hourly dads” because many parents have a lot of work and they don’t have time to be with their children. Or children from single-parent(单亲) families need someone like a father.
1. In ________, people can hire an “hourly dad”.| A．Africa | B．the UK | C．the USA | D．Australia |
①taking the child to school
②playing with the child
③helping the child with his or her homework
④eating with the child
| A．①② | B．①②③ | C．①②④ | D．①②③④ |
| A．With gifts. | B．By the hour. |
| C．With free meals. | D．By the day. |
| A．they are too busy |
| B．they don’t love their children |
| C．they like playing games |
| D．they have a lot of money |
Most of us spend all day at school or work. After a long and busy day, we want to return to a comfortable home. Smart technology（科技）can turn any home into a nicer place to live.
Smart homes have been around for some time. The Scottish company Pico Electronics invented a type of technology called X10. With X10, household devices（设备）, such as lights and alarms, can communicate with each other by using radio waves.
Of course, 5G networks have made smart homes much more wonderful than X10. Perhaps the most widely used smart home technology is the voice-activated assistant（语音激活助手）. Google Home and Amazon Alexa allow users to interact（互动）with nearly any device in their home simply by saying a few words. This is good for children and disabled people, as they can do things that would normally be too difficult, according to How-To Geek.
Common household devices can become “smart” as well. For example, according to HowStuffWorks, a smart trash bin can keep track of the things you’ve thrown away and place an online order for new items. Smart fridges can make dinner recipes（食谱）based on the food inside.
But it’s not just about convenience. Smart homes are also good for the environment. By turning off devices that you’re not using, smart homes can lower electricity（电）you use. Using less energy means that we use fewer natural resources（资源）, which is good for the environment.
1. X10 technology allows household devices to use _______ to communicate .| A．voices | B．radio waves | C．passages | D．a 5G network |
| A．listing numbers | B．telling stories | C．giving examples | D．answering question |
| A．X10 technology will be invented in the future |
| B．smart fridges can cook meals by itself |
| C．children can interact with household devices at a smart home |
| D．smart trash bins can help throw away the trash |
| A．they use solar energy | B．they have smart trash bins |
| C．they can help us save energy | D．they are built with special materials |
| A．smart technology | B．natural resources |
| C．famous websites | D．information science |
April 10th, 2019 is a remarkable day. The whole world felt excited on that night. For the first time in history, people saw the picture of a black hole. The picture became popular quickly. But attention soon turned to Katie Bouman—a computer scientist, who was only 29 years old at that time. Without her efforts, the historic picture wouldn’t be possible. And because of this great achievement, Katie Bouman was called a Genius Girl.
Taking a picture of the black hole is not easy. It’s like taking a photo of an orange that is on the moon. Many scientists kept trying, but no one succeeded.
These difficulties didn’t stop Bouman from trying. In her last year of high school, when she first heard of the plan about taking a photo of the black hole, she determined to make it. In the year 2016, she started working on a special computer program. Over the years, she improved the program many times. Finally, she turned telescope data（望远镜数据）into the black hole picture.
Bouman then received lots of praise for her work. People thought she was one of the greatest women. But the young woman said the efforts of her workmates were important. “None of us could do it alone.” she told reporters.
Do you want to make history as Bouman did? Just work hard towards your dream. One day, you’ll make the impossible possible too.
1. Katie Bouman is a(n) _________.| A．scientist | B．astronaut | C．teacher | D．photographer |
| A．we don’t have a very good camera |
| B．the black hole is very far from us |
| C．we need to take the picture on the moon |
| D．there are not enough scientists doing research |
| A．how to solve problems in taking a picture of the black hole |
| B．how to use the program to collect information about the black hole |
| C．how Katie Bouman helped take a picture of the black hole |
| D．how to take a picture of the black hole with the telescope |
| A．感谢 | B．称赞 | C．祝福 | D．评论 |
| A．Fight for Your Dream |
| B．Secret of the Black Hole |
| C．Science Helps Make the Impossible Possible |
| D．The Woman Behind the Picture of the Black Hole |
