1 . It’s easy for consumers to buy food and drinks like a bowl of hot rice and coke online or from neighbourhood shops, but for astronauts such things were impossible in the past.

Members of China’s Shenzhou manned space flight last year, however, were able to enjoy such food, thanks to Joyoung, a Chinese firm. Joyoung created a mobile space kitchen for the astronauts. A drinking water machine, an air heater and a soybean milk maker were all accessible in the kitchen through a smart app. Tang Hongbo, who was a member of the Shenzhou manned spacecraft, said in the news that during his three month trip, he could eat hot food with just half-hour efforts, a contrast to the past when similar attempts required several hours. If we had time, we would also use equipment to eat homemade yogurt. We could also control the equipment in the space kitchen through mobile phone apps,” he said.

In the past, most foods couldn’t be directly heated in a microwave oven in the space. Conduction equipment often caused uneven (不均匀的) heating. An astronaut had to spend as long as four hours to heat some vegetables in the space kitchen. To solve the problem, Joyoung has developed equipment that gives out hot air to heat vegetables in a 360-degree way. That enables astronauts to eat steaming-hot fish-flavoured pork and Gongbao chicken, a spicy, stir-fried Chinese dish.

Besides Joyoung, a group of companies, including Xiaomi Corp and Huawei Technologies, have contributed their technologies to the development of the space station. A vacuum (真空) cleaner enabled haircuts on the spacecraft possible. NOLO VR, a Chinese virtual reality manufacturer, has helped astronauts develop an experimental equipment through which laboratory technicians on the ground can see and experience what astronauts are doing in the space.

1. What do astronauts think of Joyoung’s mobile space kitchen?

A．Water-saving.	B．Energy-wasting.
C．Time-saving.	D．Money-wasting.

2. How does the author show the convenience on Shenzhou manned spacecraft?

A．By making contrasts.	B．By analyzing results.
C．By providing pictures.	D．By answering questions.

3. What does the last paragraph want to show?

A．There is more tech for the spacecraft.

B．Joyoung needs to further its technology.

C．Astronauts on board can do as they wish.

D．What astronauts are doing is significant.

4. What is the best title of the text?

A．Modern Technology Brings Convenience to Human Beings

B．Earth to Space, Firms Add Value by Creating Technology

C．The Hot Diet on the Space Station Needs to be Addressed

D．Manufacturers Make Big Profits from Inventing Equipment

2 . Brian Fischler is blind. He can tell whether it’s light or dark outside, but that’s about it.

“I grew up sighted like everybody, and I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (视网膜色素变性) at 13,” Fischler says. “And for me, the lights went out about 2009.” Fischler, a New York-based stand-up comedian, has used the app Be My Eyes since it first came out eight years ago. It relies on sighted volunteers to do tasks like describing holiday cards sent in the mail, or telling you whether that can in your cupboard is coconut milk or chicken soup.

Hans Wiberg, a Danish furniture craftsman, created the app after he got tired of calling his friends and family to ask for help to identify things. He spent a couple of years developing it, and the app was launched in 2015.

But eight years later, there’s a twist. As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more accessible, app creators are experimenting with an AI version using tech as well as human volunteers. Be My Eyes CEO Mike Buckley says the argument for AI is that it can do things people cannot. Buckley says, “You can tap into the AI and say, ‘How do I connect to my Sony stereo?’ and furthermore, you can take a picture of your refrigerator and it not only tells you what all the ingredients are but it tells you what you can make for dinner.”

However, he insists that AI won’t completely replace the volunteers who make Be My Eyes so popular. “I hope it ends up being 50-50 because I do think that there is going to be a desire for continued human connection,” Buckley says, “There’s some volunteer feedback we’ve gotten, for example, when they actually get a call they talk about it as the best day of their week.”

1. What is the purpose of Paragraph 1?

A．To bring in the topic.	B．To give an example.
C．To introduce a blind man.	D．To provide background information.

2. What can be inferred about Wiberg?

A．He might come from America.

B．He might be visually impaired.

C．He was born sighted like ordinary people.

D．He was diagnosed with some deadly disease.

3. What does the underlined word “twist” in Paragraph 4 probably mean?

A．A novel and expensive invention.

B．An efficient and powerful replacement.

C．A superior and demanding application.

D．An unexpected and significant development.

4. Where is the passage probably from?

A．A science magazine.	B．A diary entry.
C．A travel website.	D．A research paper.

3 . A 4-year-old girl Pippa Jackson has started a project to collect Christmas gifts for needy children. She was ___________ to do so because of her bad dream about kids having no ___________ on Christmas morning. Pippa has set herself the ___________ of making 200 care packages. In each one, she puts some coloring pencils to write with and a hat, a scarf and gloves to help keep them ___________.

Her mom Kadie Jackson, who is ___________ her to carry out the project, said, “Pippa is getting a bit of help with her project from others, too. She is now ___________ Christmas packages, by receiving donations, and next week we will be making ___________ as well. The decorations are to sell, and all the money that she ___________ will go towards buying presents for children ___________. She’s very kind-hearted and she has a ____________ heart. We’re going to some women’s shelters, orphanages (孤儿院), that sort of thing — anywhere we can to ____________ children to help. We’re hoping to make 200 before Christmas — that’s what Pippa said. If we ____________ enough donations and can buy enough toys, we will go above and beyond. The donations have been going ____________ so far. We have got some materials from a few local shops and more will be ____________ soon, I think, next week.”

Pippa and her mother are now spending their evenings putting together the packages. Some of the contents have been ____________ to the poor families and their children will have a merry Christmas.

1.

A．forced

B．inspired

C．allowed

D．advised

2.

A．presents

B．breakfast

C．clothes

D．homework

3.

A．result

B．example

C．challenge

D．reason

4.

A．calm

B．cool

C．unique

D．warm

5.

A．warning

B．helping

C．expecting

D．begging

6.

A．selling

B．collecting

C．making

D．delivering

7.

A．preparations

B．comments

C．arrangements

D．decorations

8.

A．raises

B．wastes

C．spends

D．wants

9.

A．in trouble

B．in need

C．in danger

D．in harmony

10.

A．stony

B．broken

C．golden

D．narrow

11.

A．find

B．remind

C．teach

D．lead

12.

A．leave

B．expect

C．offer

D．get

13.

A．formally

B．smoothly

C．globally

D．secretly

14.

A．arriving

B．returning

C．changing

D．growing

15.

A．showed

B．compared

C．contributed

D．related

4 . Life can change in the blink of an eye. For Bridgette Ponson, one of those _________ took place in the parking lot of her workplace, Layton Christian Academy. While she was in the parking lot with her 2-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl, a car _________ them. This left the mother and her kids _________ beneath the car.

_________, the driver wasn’t going very fast when she hit them. At that moment, she was blinded by the sun — this is the suspected _________ of the accident. However, as soon as she _________ what had happened, she jumped out of the car to help. Plus, she wasn’t the only one who came to _________ Bridgette and her kids.

Soon, Chris Crowder, CEO of the school, became _________ of the accident. Without _________, he rallied (召集) together a group of students to help.

“It was a split second,” Chris recalls. “I immediately just ran into the classroom building because I knew I had to get a lot of people to lift this car. We have about 220 __________ kids and over 300 international kids at the school. They just __________ me shout. All these kids from different countries just came __________ out and lifted it up.”

A whole group of kids could be seen working together to lift the car enough for Mom and her kids to get __________. The 2-year-old was flown to Primary Children’s Hospital while the 3-year-old and Mom were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Although Bridgette and her kids suffered from __________, all three of them are __________ to make complete recoveries.

1.

A．discoveries

B．observations

C．explorations

D．moments

2.

A．approached

B．hit

C．delighted

D．confused

3.

A．searching

B．waiting

C．trapped

D．tied

4.

A．Thankfully

B．Honestly

C．Absolutely

D．Obviously

5.

A．witness

B．cause

C．victim

D．damage

6.

A．learned

B．realized

C．recalled

D．explained

7.

A．accompany

B．treat

C．save

D．welcome

8.

A．aware

B．afraid

C．ashamed

D．approving

9.

A．doubt

B．wonder

C．exception

D．delay

10.

A．domestic

B．energetic

C．innocent

D．ordinary

11.

A．made

B．helped

C．watched

D．heard

12.

A．calling

B．looking

C．running

D．climbing

13.

A．ahead

B．close

C．free

D．lost

14.

A．stress

B．injuries

C．hunger

D．diseases

15.

A．expected

B．determined

C．advised

D．reminded

5 . Are you considering visiting some places in a few weeks, or a few months’ time, and are you looking for the safest places to travel? If yes, this travel guide will provide some places you can visit.

New Zealand

New Zealand has proven to be the world’s safest places to travel after Iceland and they are known for their wonderful dishes such as fish & chips, Hokey Pokey Ice Cream, etc. Whangarei Falls is a twenty-four feet high flowing water with a beautiful view that makes it one of the best waterfalls looking attractive in photographs.

Belize

A visit to Belize would give you experiences such as world-class diving, explorations of jungles, etc. When you are in Belize, you should try the following foods: Rice and Beans, Tamales, Stewed Chicken, Fry Jacks and lots more. Belize is known for Mayan ruins and caves, jungle adventures, and is also known as “Nature’s best-kept secret”.

Greenland

Greenland is said to be a place where you do not have to worry about crime, so you need not worry too much about your safety. It is located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, and it is the world’s largest island. Major tourist offers in Greenland include trips on hiking, tours on dog sledding (雪橇), watching of icebergs, etc.

Tunisia

Tunisia is said to be one of the most visited African countries. Some attractive places include its great capital city of Tunis, the beach resorts of Mahdia and La Kabash Square in Tunis. Tunisia is popular for her beaches which have this golden ring and pocket-friendly expensive items. Tunisians are always willing to help. Some of the delicious dishes that Tunisians enjoy include Traditional Tunisian Bread, Tajine, Meats, etc.

1. What makes New Zealand attractive?

A．Beautiful waterfall.	B．Jungle adventures.
C．Low crime rates.	D．Golden beaches.

2. Which place should you go to if you are fond of diving?

A．New Zealand.	B．Belize.
C．Greenland.	D．Tunisia.

3. What can be known about Tunisia?

A．Tunis is the world’s largest port city.	B．It is the most visited country in Africa.
C．Tunisians are both warm and friendly.	D．It offers first-class hiking experience.

6 . The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World

Library of Strahov Monastery (Prague, Czech Republic)

The oldest part of the Library of Strahov Monastery, the Baroque Theological Hall, was established between 1671 and 1674, making the establishment one of the oldest and best preserved historical libraries in the world. Over 200,000 volumes are collected here, with many, of the texts printed between 1501 and 1800.

Old Library of Trinity College (Dublin, Ireland)

Old Library of Trinity College was founded in 1592. Appropriately named the Long Room, this space is located within the Old Library at Trinity College. Previously, the room’s ceiling was flat and only shelved books on the lower level. However, the college was granted a free copy of every book published in Britain and Ireland, requiring the expansion of the cavernous space.

Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

In 1837, a group of 43 Portuguese immigrants and political refugees established the Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading to promote their culture in what was the Empire of Brazil. The library was designed by architect Rafael da Silva e Castro in a neo-Gothic style and was inspired by the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon.

Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine (Paris, France)

The library at the Cite de l’architecture et du patrimoine opened its doors in September 2007. It’s a must visit for any architecture lover. Not only because of the amazing location in a Romanesque (罗马式的) sistine, but also because its entire collection is dedicated to works about architecture, and landscaping. The library also houses the largest collection of preserved romanesque wall paintings in France.

1. Which library has the longest history?

A．Old Library of Trinity College.

B．Library of Strahov Monastery.

C．Cite de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine.

D．Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading.

2. What is the purpose of the establishment of Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading?

A．To remember a famous designer.	B．To accommodate poor Portuguese.
C．To spread Portuguese culture.	D．To preserve historical documents.

3. Which library attracts those interested in art and architecture most?

A．Library of Strahov Monastery.

B．Old Library of Trinity College.

C．Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading.

D．Cite de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine.

7 . The British accent of Cary Gran has finally been revealed after a fellow actor tracked down a secretly tape recording of the Bristol-born big screen superstar.

Jason Isaacs, who plays Cary Grant in a coming ITV biopic (传记片), said that although setting his mind on figuring out the actor’s real accent, he had become upset by the absence of interviews with Cary Grant.

The star, whose death aged 82 in 1986 brought to an end one of the 20th century’s greatest screen careers, rarely spoke in public and would always adopt a mid-American accent for the cameras

Isaacs, 60, said this week that after some “detective work”, he found out about an interview Cary Grant gave to a student from the University of Iowa months before his death. The student’s classmate secretly recorded the interview in which Cary Grant spoke about his hatred (厌恶) of being approached by fans. The secret recording reveals Cary Grant’s true accent.

At the launch of the ITV drama Archie-after Cary Grant’s birth name Archibald Leach — Isaacs said that when he landed the role, “the first thing I did was look for interviews of Cary Grant.” Isaacs added; “He didn’t want to be seen and he didn’t want to be known. There was nothing at all. Only the films. And that’s not what he spoke like. His accent changed a lot in the films.

Isaacs said of listening to the tape: “I felt like I’d finally made a real connection with him and that’s the voice you hear on screen in Archie. It’s more English than he is in the movies. People think they remember Cary Grant’s voice but what they remember is Tony Curtis in Some Like It Hot.”

The ITV biopic focuses on Grant’s troubled family relationships. Jennifer Grant, Grant’s daughter, said her father had rarely spoken about his childhood. “Sadly I think there was so much shame wrapped up in it,” Jennifer Grant said.

1. Why did Jason Isaacs attempt to get a recording of Cary Grant?

A．To recreate his accent for real.

B．To show sincere respect to him.

C．To get the role of Cary Grant easily.

D．To make the film more profitable.

2. What can we infer about Cary Grant from Paragraph 4?

A．He acted as a detective.

B．He worked in a university.

C．He hated being recorded secretly.

D．He disliked having his life disturbed.

3. Whose voice is familiar to the audience?

A．Cary Grant.

B．Tony Curtis.

C．Jason Isaacs.

D．Jennifer Grant.

4. What kind of person is Jason Isaacs?

A．Generous.

B．Ambitious.

C．Determined.

D．Knowledgeable.

8 . During their childhood and teenage years, some young people may feel too shy or uncomfortable to interact (互动) with others of their age. Others may simply become too social in the use of technology to try outdoor interactions.

According to Auburn University professors, the experience of interacting with people of their own age is very important for young people. To encourage interaction in your community, arrange a youth social activity. Such activities are a good way to encourage friendship and social development. You can arrange a bike tour through the local community, stopping along the way to interact with other young people and locals. A group hiking trip is another way to keep young people physically active and sociable. Arrange a day’s hike through a forested park. Have them each bring some food to share and stop for a picnic along the way.

Technological development has made many children give up books and social activities in favor of television, computer and video games. Organize a youth weekly reading group to reinforce the value of reading and interacting with others. Organize a list of discussion topics, and choose a day each week for group discussion.

Although many youth social events are; aimed at entertainment (娱乐), it is also important to teach the value of community service. Arrange a trip to a local nursing home and have the young people spend a day socializing with the elderly. Or organize community clean-up and have them work to remove all the rubbish in the areas. Besides, teaching the value of giving back, these activities will allow young people to socialize with one another as well as with other members of the community.

1. How does the author develop the second paragraph?

A．By giving examples.	B．By providing results.
C．By listing some facts.	D．By explaining reasons.

2. What does the underlined word “reinforce” in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Compare.	B．Explore.
C．Strengthen.	D．Appreciate.

3. Why does the author suggest a trip to a local nursing home?

A．To teach young people to value the present happy life.

B．To encourage young people to show respect for the old.

C．To make young people know more about the elders’ life.

D．To show young people the value of community service.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Some common problems of young people.

B．Some ways to teach the value of giving back.

C．Some methods to improve teenagers’ relationship.

D．Some suggestions to help youth interact with each other.

10 . Chemicals taken from sawdust (锯屑) and water can knock out more than 99 percent of some disease-causing microbes (微生物). That makes the sawdust mix a potential alternative to current microbe-killing chemicals.

Many disinfectants (消毒剂) used today can harm the environment. They form poisonous by-products when they get washed. Some potentially greener disinfectants exist. They rely on a chemical called “phenol (苯酚)”. But these cleaners can be costly and take a lot of energy to make.

Shicheng Zhang went searching for a better option. He’s an environmental engineer at Fudan University in Shanghai, China. Wood contains many molecules (分子) that look like phenol. So Zhang wondered if microbe-killing chemicals could be obtained from sawdust through a low-cost and low-energy process.

He and his fellow researchers cooked mixtures of water and sawdust for one hour. They heated this sawdust soup under pressure, and then filtered it. Later, they tested how well the liquid killed off microbes. This liquid wiped out E.coli bacteria—microbes that can cause food poisoning. The liquid also killed anthrax bacteria. These microbes cause dangerous infections. What’s more, the disinfectant stopped flu viruses from being infectious.

The researchers also added different amounts of water to the sawdust soup. That let them test how concentrated it had to be to knock out microbes. Depending on its concentration, the mix could kill more than 99 percent of the microbes.

Looking at killed microbes under a microscope revealed some of the ways the sawdust mix kills. The disinfectant damaged the microbes’ cell walls. It also may have messed with the microbes’ proteins and DNA.

Zhang and his fellow researchers didn’t stop at a sawdust disinfectant. They made disinfectants from other plant materials, too. Some of these started as bamboo powder. Others were made using rice plant. Plant materials that are richer in molecules that release phenol-like compounds are best at killing microbes. One example is corn straw.

1. What may be an advantage of Zhang’s sawdust disinfectant over existing ones?

A．Being safer and more effective.

B．Being environment-friendly and less expensive.

C．Being less expensive and having more lasting effect.

D．Being more effective and having more lasting effect.

2. What gave Zhang the idea of the sawdust disinfectant?

A．The absence of microbes in sawdust.	B．The phenol-like molecules in wood.
C．The existence of a greener disinfectant.	D．The possibility of being food poisoned.

3. How was Zhang’s research further carried out?

A．By analyzing data from previous studies.

B．By identifying the ways different disinfectants kill.

C．By improving the process of dealing with by-products.

D．By comparing the effects of different concentrations of the mix.

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．A Public Drive Aims to Greener Disinfectants

B．A Chinese University Grows Microbe-killing Plants

C．A Disinfectant Made from Sawdust Knocks out Microbes

D．A Chinese Team Made Breakthroughs in Disease Research