1 . “Life is speeding up. Everyone is getting unwell.”
This may sound like something someone would say today. But in fact, an unknown person who lived in Rome in AD(公元) 53 wrote it.
We all love new inventions. They are exciting, amazing and can even change our lives. But have all these developments really improved the quality of our lives?
Picture this. You’re rushing to finish your homework on the computer. Your mobile phone rings, a QQ message from your friend appears on the screen, the noise from the television is getting louder and louder. Suddenly the computer goes blank and you lose all your work. Now you have to stay up all night to get it done. How happy do you feel?
Inventions have speeded up our lives so much that they often leave up feeling stressed and tired. Why do you think people who live far away from noisy cities, who have no telephones, no cars, not even any electricity often seem to be happier? Perhaps because they live simpler lives.
One family in the UK went “back in time” to see what life was like without all the inventions we have today. The grandparents, with their daughter, and grandsons Benjamin, 10 and Thomas, 7, spent nine weeks in a 1940s house. They had no washing machine, microwave(微波炉), computer or mobile phones.
The grandmother, Lyn, said, “The more things you have, the more difficult life becomes.” The boys said they fought less. Probably, they said, because there was less to fight over, such as their computer. Benjamin also noticed that his grandmother had changed from being a “trendy(赶时髦的), beer-drinking granny”, to one who cooked things.
根据短文内容，选择正确答案。
1. The writer uses the quote(引号) at the beginning of the story to ________.
| A．tell us a truth about our lives |
| B．tell us what life was like long time ago |
| C．point out what causes such a thing to happen |
| D．point out some problems we will meet in the life |
| A．have speeded up our lives | B．have improved the quality of our lives |
| C．may make people feel very happy | D．may bring people some trouble |
| A．they loved to live simple lives |
| B．they wanted to know how people lived without modern inventions |
| C．they were troubled by modern inventions |
| D．living in a different time would be a lot of fun for them |
| A．People who live far away from noisy cities often seem to be happier. |
| B．An unknown Roman was sure that the quality of life would get better. |
| C．The family had some changes when they lived in a 1940s house. |
| D．With the improvement of our lives, we often feel stressed and tired. |
| A．problems with technology |
| B．improvements of our lives with technology |
| C．changes happening to technology |
| D．the importance of technology |
2 . How much do you know about Albert Einstein?
Albert Einstein, born on March 14, 1879 in Germany, was a great scientist in the world. He was strange because he hated haircuts and new clothes. He believed in peace. All his life, he hated war. However, his most famous idea, E=me2, helped create the world’s most dangerous weapon（武器）. Many people think he was the smartest person in the world. But Einstein said that he thought like a child with many questions and unusual ideas.
What did he like?
Einstein liked learning sailing. He sailed in small boats all his life. He once joked, “Sailing is the sport that takes the least energy!”
When Einstein was a child, his mother made him take violin lessons. At first, he didn’t like the violin. But then he learned to love music and became a good violinist. Later, he said, “Love is the best teacher.”
Why is the sky blue?
In 1910, Einstein asked a question which many children often ask, “Why is the sky blue?” After his careful research, he answered the question like this: “It’s because light is made up of many colors, including blue. When light travels to Earth, gas particles（气体微粒）spread the blue light all over the sky.” His answer is true in physics.
1. According to the passage, Albert Einstein ________ haircuts and new clothes.| A．forgot | B．minded | C．liked | D．disliked |
| A．clever | B．imaginative | C．practical | D．childlike |
| A．was interested in | B．looked forward to | C．was known for | D．was bored with |
| A．mother teaches the best | B．without mother’s push, we can’t love anything |
| C．we should love our teacher | D．when we love something, we’d like to learn about it |
| A．magic | B．wise | C．scientific | D．careful |
3 . Artificial intelligence (人工智能) is set to benefit mankind in many ways. It will make everyday tasks easier and bring efficiency to many industries. It might be one of man's greatest inventions.
And yet, like any other technology, AI will also bring risks. In February 2018, a group of AI experts got together to discuss the possible disadvantages of AI. What they found was that "Every AI developed by the good guys is also helpful for the bad guys, too." according to Quartz.
Their biggest worry was that the bad guys could use AI for bad things. One of the areas they looked at was the use of AI to create websites that could be used to steal people's personal information. Another possibility is that AI programs could be used to hack software and break into computer secure systems (安全系统).
There are some other worries as well. It is possible that AI could be used to create fake imagines and videos. Baidu, in fact, has developed a program called Deep Voice that can "clone (克隆)" anyone's voice by studying a 3.7-second audio sample (音频样本).
Many leading people have expressed worries about AI. People like Bill Gates and Elon Musk have called for the industry to be more strictly controlled, as there are few laws right now on the use of AI.
However, this is set to change. In March 2018, the European Union plans to set up a group that will discuss the moral and ethical (伦理道德的) dangers of AI, which will help to keep it safe for mankind.
1. ________ might be one of man's greatest inventions according to the passage.| A．Many industries | B．AI | C．Baidu | D．Clone tech |
| A．保护 | B．对比 | C．入侵 | D．学习 |
| A．protecting computer secure systems | B．stealing people's personal information |
| C．controlling all the industry | D．cloning people's voice |
| A．Bill Gates and Elon Musk | B．The European Union |
| C．A group of AI experts | D．All of the mankind |
| A．The benefits of artificial intelligence. | B．How to use artificial intelligence. |
| C．People's worries about artificial intelligence. | D．The future of artificial intelligence. |
4 . The idea that red means stop and green means go has influenced our lives in more ways than just traffic signals（信号）. We have been taught from a young age that the color red means danger and green means it's okay to move forward. But why were those colors chosen for traffic lights in the first place? For something we have to look at every day, why couldn't they have been prettier colors?
Well, it's important to know that before traffic lights for cars, there were traffic signals for trains. At first, railway companies used red to mean stop, white to mean go, and green to mean warn．As you could imagine, trains ran into a few problems with white meaning go. For example, one train mistook a bright star for a white light and something unexpected happened. Because of that, railway companies finally moved green meaning go and used yellow to mean warn. And it's been that way ever since.
Red has always been a color that mean danger, long before cars were even around．This most likely started because it's the color with the longest wavelength（波长）so it can be seen somewhere farther than other colors.
But, believe it or not, yellow was once used to mean stop. Back in the 1900s, some stop signs were yellow because it was too hard to see a red sign in a poorly lit area. Finally, highly reflective materials（高反射材料） were developed and red stop signs were born. Since yellow can be seen well at all times of the day, school zones, some traffic signs, and school buses continue to be printed yellow.
So next time you are impatiently waiting at a traffic light, don't get so mad at them, they've certainly come a long way.
1. What were traffic signals for before traffic lights for cars?| A．Trains. | B．Boats. | C．Planes. | D．Bicycles. |
| A．Red. | B．Yellow. | C．White. | D．Green. |
| A．Because it's the brightest color. | B．Because it can be seen far away. |
| C．Because railway companies say so. | D．Because it has the shortest wavelength. |
| A．Because yellow is a prettier color. | B．Because yellow once meat danger. |
| C．Because yellow can be seen well in daytime. | D．Because yellow means it's OK to go forward. |
| A．How important traffic lights are. | B．Which color has the longest wavelength. |
| C．What red，yellow and green can be used for. | D．Why traffic lights are red，yellow and green. |
5 . Over the last few centuries, there have been many changes in our lives.
To start with, people were not able to travel such a long distance in such a short time in the past. Planes were not very popular at that time because they used to be a very expensive way to travel. Nowadays, more and more people can travel by plane and we can take many other fast and comfortable vehicles, such as cars and high-speed trains.
Secondly, in the past, people had to work much harder because they did not have the tools we have today. Today, most of the difficult and dangerous work is done by computers and machines.
Thirdly, in the past, the living conditions were not as good as they are now. There were no bathrooms or running water in many houses, and many people could not buy things like refrigerators, TV sets or washing machines. Now, most families have several of these things.
Lastly, communications have become much easier than before. In the past, we kept in touch with others by writing letters or sending faxes, but now we have many other ways to choose from, such as making a phone call, sending e-mails or messages and chatting online. Moreover, we can even see the people whom we are making a phone call with through mobile phones, and we can see each other while chatting online. The most surprising thing is that we can make a phone call with the astronauts and see them when they are in space. What a magical thing!
Thanks to the technology, especially the Internet, our lives have become much easier and happier than before. I'm sure they will become more wonderful in the future. Don't you think so?
1. Why were planes not so popular many years ago?| A．Because they were not big enough. | B．Because they were not able to fly long. |
| C．Because they were very expensive. | D．Because they were not fast enough. |
| A．for fewer hours | B．much harder | C．more easily | D．more quickly |
| A．Many families have TV sets and washing machines nowadays. |
| B．There were no bathrooms or running water before. |
| C．Living conditions have been improved. |
| D．Many people can take baths at home now. |
| A．traveling | B．living conditions | C．working tools | D．communication |
| A．Great changes in our lives. | B．Good education will change our lives. |
| C．Fast development of science. | D．We live a happy life now. |
6 . Work is helpful to health. Scientists find that the hard-working people live longer than those who have no jobs. Studies show that the jobless are in poorer health than job-holders. Working women are healthier than housewives.
Why is work good for health? It is because work keeps people busy, away from loneliness(孤独). Researches show that people feel unhappy and worried when they have nothing to do. Instead, the happiest people are those who are busy. Many high achievers who love their careers feel they are the happiest when they are working hard. They work as a bridge between dream and reality, so they have energy every day. By work, people get to know each other. By taking part in all kinds of activities, they find friendship and warmth. This is helpful to health. The loss(丧失) of work means the loss of everything. It affects man’s spirit and it will cause more illnesses.
Besides, work gives one a sense of hope and a sense of achievement. Work makes one feel his value and status(形象) in society. When a writer finishes his writing or a doctor successfully operates on a patient or a teacher sees his students grow, they are very happy.
From the above, we can come to a conclusion(结论): the more you work, the happier and healthier you will be.
1. How will people feel when they have nothing to do from the passage?| A．Relaxed and excited. | B．Happy but bored. |
| C．Worried and unhappy. | D．Relaxed but unhappy. |
| A．Those who are rich. | B．Those who are friendly. |
| C．Those who are famous. | D．Those who are busy. |
| A．the loss of energy | B．the loss of work |
| C．the loss of happiness | D．the loss of health |
| A．If you are happy, you will have more work to do. |
| B．If you are healthy, you will have more work to do. |
| C．The more you work, the happier you will be. |
| D．The more work you do, the more money you will have. |
| A．a magazine | B．a story | C．a song | D．a TV show |
7 . Running is becoming popular these days. Many of us run for our health. Doctors say many of the health problems come from these bad habits: eating too much, drinking too much, smoking and not taking enough exercise. Doctors tell us, “Eat and drink less, don't smoke, and exercise more.”
Running is a good form of exercise because it helps build a strong heart. It also helps most people lose weight. One 68-year-old woman runs three times a week. She runs to lose weight. “I love to eat," she says.
Running is good for health in other ways, too. Many runners say running keeps colds and other small health problems away. “Running is my doctor,” says one man.
Running can also help people to relax. So today men and women of all ages enjoy running.
1. Many people enjoy running because they want to__________.| A．eat much | B．keep healthy | C．run fast | D．drink more |
| A．not to smoke | B．not to eat much |
| C．not to drink much | D．all the above |
| A．疾病 | B．健康 | C．体重 | D．速度 |
| A．running helps people to relax | B．runners have many health problems |
| C．running helps build a strong heart | D．running is good in many ways |
| A．how to run | B．how to lose weight |
| C．running is a good way to keep healthy | D．running is better than doctors |
8 .
Welcome to Monkey Island  Welcome to Monkey Island at Xincun Town, Lingshui County, Hainan Island. You can have a great time here. Ticket: 163yuan Opening time: 8 am-4:50 pm How to get here: There are buses from Sanya to Lingshui every day. After arriving at Lingshui, take a bus to Xincun and get off at the end stop. Then walk 300m to Monkey Island. Travel tips: 1. Don’t make fun of monkeys with food and don’t look at them for a long time. Those are unfriendly actions (行 为) and monkeys may hurt you. 2. Don’t carry plastic (塑料的)bags. Monkeys may think there is food in them and come to snatch(抢 夺)them. To know more information, click(点、击) the website below. www.visitourchina. com/sanya/attraction/monkey-island |
1. How much should Larry pay if he visits Monkey Island with his son?
| A．136yuan. | B．163yuan. | C．326yuan | D．362yuan. |
| A．At 6 am. | B．At 9 am. | C．At 5: 50 pm. | D．At 8 pm. |
| A．Sanya→ Lingshui→ Xincun→ Monkey Island |
| B．Lingshui→ Xincun→ Sanya→ Monkey Island |
| C．Xincun→ Lingshui→ Sanya→ Monkey Island |
| D．Sanya→ Xincun→ Lingshui→ Monkey Island |
| A．they can make monkeys angry | B．it is an unfriendly action |
| C．monkeys may come to snatch them | D．they are bad to the island |
| A．In the magazine. | B．On the Internet. | C．On TV. | D．On the radio. |
9 . The art of paper-cutting in China has a long history, which originated(起源于) from the 6th century. As paper became cheaper, paper cutting has become one of the most important types of Chinese folk art. Later, this art form spread to other parts of the world, with different areas adopting(采用) their own cultural styles. Because the paper cuts are often used to decorate(装扮) doors and windows, they are sometimes referred to as “window flowers”.
Scissors and knives are the basic tools to make a paper cut, and the subjects are different in figures, such as flowers, birds, characters, familiar folk stories and fairy tales. It’s also common to see some Chinese characters on paper cuts. The most famous paper-cutting characters in Chinese are words meaning “lucky” and “double happiness”. Even these days, Chinese people love to hang paper-cutting of these two characters at their doors.
Chinese paper cuts were used for some purposes in the past. They have been buried with the dead. At the same time, paper cuts have special meaning on festivals and holidays.
Paper cuts are made in many areas through the country; in general, the northern style is bold and free while the southern is beautiful and smooth.
People express wishes and hopes with paper cuttings. As a national non-material culture heritage(遗产), paper cut is really wonderful.
1. When did the art of paper-cutting originate in China?| A．From the 6th century. | B．In the past. |
| C．From long long ago. | D．From these days. |
| A．Glue. | B．Knives. | C．Chinese characters. | D．Different colors. |
| A．The paper cuts are often used to make up the room. |
| B．Flowers, birds, folk stories are paper-cut figures. |
| C．Paper cuts have nothing special on festivals and holidays. |
| D．Chinese people love to hang “double happiness” at their doors. |
| A．The southern is bold and smooth. |
| B．The northern style is free and beautiful. |
| C．The northern is free and smooth. |
| D．The southern is beautiful and smooth. |
| A．Paper-cutting skills. | B．Paper-cutting experts. |
| C．The art of paper-cutting. | D．The history of paper-cutting. |
10 . Animal United is a 3D German cartoon which is directed by Reinhard Kloss and Holger Tappe. It is a story about animals that get together to find water. Along their journey, lots of funny things happen, and of course, they have a lot of adventures.
The animals in the grassland. In Africa are waiting for the coming flood. However, this year’s flood seems to come later than in other years. The animals become upset and worried. At the same time, some animals from other places come to the grasslands to look for peace. However, the situation seems worse because the water is becoming less and less. So they decide to look for the river.
Finally, they find the reason why they don’t have any water to drink. A dam has been set up so that humans can have a better life. After a long fight with humans, they let the world know that animals are in danger.
The film is about environmental matters. The humans are the bad and the animals are good. This film is to give humans a warning that they must not destroyed the homes of animals or damage nature in order to improve their own life. Humans should know that animals also have their own world.
根据材料内容选择最佳答案。
1. The story of Animal United took place_______.
| A．in Asia | B．in Africa | C．in America | D．in Germany |
| A．the year’s flood is coming |
| B．they will have no water to drink |
| C．there is going to be a fight with humans |
| D．their grasslands were taken up by other animals |
| A．humans set up a dam | B．the river is becoming dry |
| C．all the animals are in danger | D．the world is getting warmer |
| A．damage nature | B．kill any animals |
| C．pollute the environment | D．do harm to the grasslands |
| A．it’s our duty to protect animals |
| B．humans and animals should live in peace |
| C．humans should care about the environment |
| D．it’s time to think about animals living environment |
