1 . The desert locust (蝗虫) is the most dangerous migratory pest with a huge appetite unmatched in the insect world. In just one day, a swarm of locusts the size of Paris could consume the same amount of food as half the population of France. They annually reproduce, concentrate and then form swarms that can move up to 150 kilometers per day.

To control these swarms, some experts think drone (无人机) technology could provide survey and control teams with an inexpensive and efficient method of searching for these destructive insects.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) — also known as drones — could be used to automatically collect high-resolution imagery of green, vegetated areas potentially affected by locusts.

Controlled by a hand-held tablet, the UAV would follow a pre-programmed flight path, covering a 100 kilometer survey radius to collect data. Then the survey teams use the data to identify areas that seem most likely to harbor locusts and travel directly to suspicious locations. Once the team reaches such an area, the UAV could be launched to fly overhead and identify other nearby areas affected by locusts that may require treatment. A separately controlled UAV could then be used to administer pesticides directly onto the locust concentrations. UAVs could also be used to check for locusts in areas that are insecure or cannot be accessed by ground teams.

Pest control operations would become safer, as human operators would no longer be exposed to potentially dangerous pesticides while getting rid of the insects. They would also become more effective, since drones would be able to spray pesticides precisely.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is currently working with university researchers and private sector partners in Europe to address challenges of drone technology concerning design, endurance, power, and detection of green vegetation and locusts. The FAO remains hopeful that within five years, UAVs will play an essential role in protecting food supplies and livelihoods from the desert locust, as part of the fight against global hunger and poverty.

1. What does the author try to express by mentioning France in Paragraph 1?

A．Desert locusts are a great threat to food supply.

B．France is one of the disaster areas affected by desert locusts.

C．It’s hard to deal with the problems caused by desert locusts.

D．Desert locusts are a migratory pest that can travel extremely fast.

2. What’s the fundamental purpose of drone technology?

A．To detect desert locusts.	B．To locate the affected locations.
C．To kill desert locusts effectively.	D．To free operators from chemicals.

3. Which of the following can best describe UAVs?

A．They are convenient but expensive.	B．They are creative but time-consuming.
C．They are safe but hard to operate.	D．They are smart but still need improving.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Preventing the Spread of Desert Locusts

B．FAO Continues Fighting Against Locusts

C．Massive Locusts Threaten Millions of People

D．Locust Control Throug hout History

2 . When life takes you away from home, take technology to help guide and entertain you. Apps can help make your trip easier and more fun. Travel apps are very helpful to guide you on your trip. Some apps help you plan your trip and others help you travel.

TripIt

TripIt is a helpful app to organize travel plans. Sign up for a free account at the TripIt website and download the app to have all of your travel plans handy in one place.

TripIt will create a travel plan that will be shown in the TripIt app on your phone. No need to hunt down emails when it is time to travel. Everything will be in one place, on the TripIt app.

TripIt is free but a paid version is available that has more functions.

Google Translate

When traveling outside your home country, you may need some language help. Google Translate is an app that can help you understand a language other than your native tongue.

The Google Translate app translates between 103 different languages. Copy text into the app to see a translation. You can also handwrite text onto the screen. Use your phone’s camera to see a translation of signs. Point the lens at words to see the translation on the phone’s screen. The app works even without an Internet connection.

Google Translate is available for free.

OpenTable

OpenTable is a restaurant reservation app to help users discover and make reservations at restaurants.Search by location, cooking, reviews and prices.

OpenTable includes 31,000 restaurants around the world. Check the app to find information and make reservations within the app.

OpenTable is available free for Android and iPhone and iPad.

1. How does the app “TripIt” benefit the users?

A．It provides jobs concerning travel.

B．It helps them plan their trip.

C．It helps them sort out emails about travel.

D．It helps them communicate better.

2. What should “Google Translate” users do first if they want to know a foreign shop sign?

A．Read it to the phone.

B．Use the Google search engine.

C．Refer to an e-dictionary on the phone.

D．See it through the phone's camera.

3. What can users do with the app “OpenTable”？

A．Book food in advance.

B．Deliver food to a place quickly.

C．Buy raw materials to produce good dishes.

D．Cook food according to the recipes the app provides.

3 . When I woke up last week, I looked out of the window and saw nothing but white snow. It wasn't a _________ ； for days the weathermen had been _________ the winter storm. In the past years I had shoveled（铲）snow without too much _________ , but this year the task seemed challenging as I had just had back surgery（外科手术）.

But when I looked out of the _________ again, I was surprised to see my young neighbor Gray clearing my walkways. I couldn't _________ it. I knew my neighbors well, but we didn't often socialize. I fixed a cup of coffee and took it to the back door. When I opened the door, Gray _________ his work and accepted the hot cup gratefully. Clearing snow actually wasn't a（n） _________ job because on the top of the snow was a solid sheet of ice, making the walkways and streets not _________ to walk on. However, that didn't stop Gray； he worked hard until the job was finished. I _________ to thank him, but he said it was nothing and drove to his office. His wife Cathy also left for her job.

What could I do to repay his __________ ? I decided to make a big pot of soup. Cathy would not have to prepare the meal when she came home from __________ on such a cold day.

But the street was still __________ ， and I couldn't deliver the soup to them safely. So when I saw Cathy come home, I __________ and told her I had some soup for them. When she came over to __________ the soup, she seemed as grateful as I felt when I saw her husband shoveling snow off my walkways.

Now I am constantly looking for ways of __________ others. Gray had started a chain reaction in my soul. By helping me out without being asked, he sparked（激发）a similar feeling within me.

1.

A．problem

B．surprise

C．threat

D．dream

2.

A．preventing

B．remembering

C．recording

D．forecasting

3.

A．effort

B．interest

C．skill

D．effect

4.

A．kitchen

B．window

C．yard

D．garden

5.

A．make

B．believe

C．get

D．take

6.

A．chose

B．continued

C．stopped

D．finished

7.

A．challenging

B．easy

C．boring

D．important

8.

A．solid

B．safe

C．rough

D．difficult

9.

A．pretended

B．agreed

C．tried

D．hoped

10.

A．respect

B．friendship

C．kindness

D．duty

11.

A．shopping

B．work

C．school

D．exercise

12.

A．wide

B．noisy

C．clean

D．icy

13.

A．called

B．visited

C．left

D．appeared

14.

A．seek for

B．throw away

C．look at

D．pick up

15.

A．helping

B．hugging

C．praising

D．accepting

4 . A crisis has the power to bring people closer. I encountered the first crisis in my life six years ago when my father was diagnosed with dementia (痴呆), which changed everything overnight. Watching my father struggle to perform routine tasks broke my heart. He had become a child who needed round-the-clock assistance for everyday activities. We learned that the best way to deal with him was with patience and affection. Suddenly, I was forced to grow up.

Living with the reality of my father’s illness helped me discover the extent of the love I felt for him. I was increasingly grateful for all he had done to give us a comfortable life and a good upbringing.

My father’s determination to fight back was inspiring and gave me the courage to support him in this new journey. Our family started planning more activities together — Sundays were now set aside for a drive and dinner at a restaurant. They were special to him and gave him great joy. It was also a time of self-discovery — I found myself tested in different ways and found strong abilities to last and restore I didn’t know I had. I realized these were qualities coming from him.

By March, the government announced the order to stay at home. I was anxious that he would get restless if restricted at home, but when we explained the reason to him, he understood. There is a lesson for all of us here — if a patient like him can stay indoors, we can too. There is little else more important than our health. Stay home, stay safe.

1. What makes the author heart-broken?

A．Round-the-clock assistance for his father.

B．His father’s great difficulty with life.

C．His family’s financial crisis.

D．His father’s activities.

2. What can we know about the author from the first two paragraphs?

A．He was six years old when his father was diagnosed with dementia.

B．He wasn’t grateful for his father until his father fell ill.

C．His father’s illness made him grown-up.

D．He is the only child in his family.

3. What is the life of his father like, after suffering from dementia?

A．More love from family.

B．Risk of dying quickly.

C．Loss of family status.

D．Inability to walk.

4. Which words can best describe the author’s father?

A．Sensitive and moody.

B．Hardworking and selfless.

C．Unfortunate and panicked.

D．Optimistic and understanding.

5 . The Biggest Stadiums in the World

People have been pouring into stadiums since the days of ancient Greece. In around 80 A.D., the Romans built the Colosseum, which remains the world’s best known stadium and continues to inform contemporary design. Rome’s Colosseum was 157 feet tall and had 80 entrances, seating 50,000 people. However, that was small fry compared with the city’s Circus Maximus, which accommodated around 250,000 people.

These days, safety regulations-not to mention the modern sports fan’s desire for a good view and comfortable seat — tend to keep stadium capacities (容量) slightly lower. Even soccer fans tend to have a seat each; gone are the days of thousands standing to watch the match.

For the biggest stadiums in the world, we have used data supplied by the World Atlas list so far, which ranks them by their stated permanent capacity, as well as updated information from official stadium websites.

All these stadiums are still functional, still open and still hosting the biggest events in world sport.

·Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, Pyongyang D.P.R. Korea. Capacity: 150,000. Opened: May 1,1989.

·Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U. S. Capacity: 107,601. Opened: October 1, 1927.

·Beaver Stadium, State College, Pennsylvania, U. S. Capacity: 106,572. Opened: September 17, 1960.

·Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, U. S. Capacity: 104,944. Opened: October 7,1922.

·Kyle Field, College Station, Texas, U. S. Capacity: 102,512. Opened: September 24, 1927.

1. How many people could the Circus Maximus hold?

A．104,944.

B．107,601.

C．About 150,000.

D．About 250,000.

2. Of the following stadiums, which is the oldest?

A．Michigan Stadium.

B．Beaver Stadium.

C．Ohio Stadium.

D．Kyle Field.

3. What do the listed stadiums have in common?

A．They host big games.	B．They have become tourist attractions.
C．They were built by Americans.	D．They are favored by architects.

6 . The far side of the moon is a strange and wild region, quite different from the familiar and mostly smooth face we see nightly from our planet. Soon this rough space will have even stranger features: it will be crowded with radio telescopes.

Astronomers are planning to make the moon's distant side our newest and best window on the cosmic(宇宙的) dark ages, a mysterious era hiding early marks of stars and galaxies. Our universe was not always filled with stars. About 380,000 years after the big bang, the universe cooled, and the first atoms of hydrogen formed. Gigantic hydrogen clouds soon filled the universe. But for a few hundred million years, everything remained dark, without stars. Then came the cosmic dawn: the first stars flickered, galaxies came into existence and slowly the universe's large­scale structure took shape.

The seeds of this structure must have been present in the dark­age hydrogen clouds, but the era has been impossible to probe using optical(光学的) telescopes—there was no light. And although this hydrogen produced long­wavelength(or low­frequency) radio emissions,radio telescopes on Earth have found it nearly impossible to detect them. Our atmosphere either blocks or disturbs these faint signals; those that get through are drowned out by humanity's radio noise.

Scientists have dreamed for decades of studying the cosmic dark ages from the moon's far side. Now multiple space agencies plan lunar missions carrying radio­wave­detecting instruments—some within the next three years—and astronomers' dreams are set to become reality.

“If I were to design an ideal place to do low­frequency radio astronomy, I would have to build the moon,” says astrophysicist Jack Burns of the University of Colorado Boulder. “We are just now finally getting to the place where we're actually going to be putting these telescopes down on the moon in the next few years.”

1. What's the purpose of building radio telescopes on the moon?

A．To research the big bang.	B．To discover unknown stars.
C．To study the cosmic dark ages.	D．To observe the far side of the moon.

2. What does the underlined word “probe” in Paragraph 3 possibly mean?

A．Explore.	B．Evaluate.
C．Produce.	D．Predict.

3. Hydrogen radio emissions can't be detected on Earth because ________．

A．there was no light in the dark ages

B．they cannot possibly get through our atmosphere

C．gigantic hydrogen clouds no longer fill the universe

D．radio signals on Earth cause too much interference

4. What can we infer from the underlined sentence in the last paragraph?

A．Scientists have to rebuild the moon.

B．We will finally get to the moon's distant side.

C．The moon is a perfect place to set up radio telescopes.

D．A favorable research environment will be found on the moon.

7 . Rising Seas Will Erase More Cities by 2050, New Research Shows

Rising seas could affect three times more people by 2050 than previously thought, according to new research, threatening to all but erase some of the world's great coastal cities.

The authors of a paper published on Tuesday developed a more accurate way of calculating land elevation based on satellite readings, and found that the previous numbers were far too optimistic. The new research shows that some 150 million people are now living on the land that will be below the high-tide line by mid-century. In Thailand, more than 10 percent of citizens now live on the land that is likely to be covered with water by 2050, compared with just 1 percent according to the earlier technique. The political and commercial capital, Bangkok, is particularly dangerous.

In other places, the migration caused by rising seas could cause or worsen regional conflicts. Basra, the second largest city in Iraq, could be mostly underwater by 2050. If that happens, the effects could be felt well beyond Iraq's borders, according to John Castellaw, a retired Marine Corps general.

“Further loss of land owing to rising waters there threatens to drive further social and political instability in the region, which could lead to armed conflicts again and increase the likelihood of terrorism,” said Castellaw, who is now on the advisory board of the Center for Climate and Security, a research and advocacy group in Washington. “So, this is far more than an environmental problem,” he said. “It's a humanitarian, security and possibly military problem too.”

1. How many people will be threatened by 2050 according to the research?

A．About 15 million.	B．About 50 million.
C．About 150 million.	D．About 450 million.

2. What can we learn from the text?

A．The migration caused rising seas.

B．Basra could be entirely underwater by 2050.

C．Rising seas could erase all the world's great coastal cities.

D．Further loss of land owing to rising waters could cause armed conflicts.

3. What is the purpose of the text?

A．To advise people to move house.	B．To tell new research.
C．To warn the danger of conflicts.	D．To appeal for environmental protection.

4. Where is this text most likely from?

A．A science magazine.	B．A geography textbook.
C．Science fiction.	D．A medical journal.

8 . City's icons celebrate milestones

Happy birthday to these big apple attractions

150TH

The Met isn^’t the only New York City institution celebrating an anniversary in 2020 - 2021.

130TH

April 2021 marks the 130th year of Carnegie Hall, the prestigious landmark that has delighted audiences with performers from around the world, including Frank Sinatra, the Beatles and Gustav Mahler.

125TH

Another NYC mainstay with a recent anniversary is the New York Public Library. Established in 1895, the main branch in midtown Manhattan, with its entrance famously flanked by lion statues named Patience and Fortitude, is a must-visit landmark that turned 125 in May 2020.

90TH

Almost a hundred years ago, competing skyscrapers shot into the atmosphere in a race to become the world's tallest building. At 1 ,046 feet, the Chrysler Building — which celebrated its 90th anniversary in May 2020 - was the first to hold the title, but only briefly.

90 TH

One year after the Chrysler Building was built, the Empire State Building was completed, topping off at 1,250 feet (or 1,454 if you count the antennae and spire) and remained the world's tallest building for a respectable 40 years. The iconic skyscraper — synonymous with the Big Apple itself — turns 90 in May 2021.

1. What is Carnegie Hall usually used for?

A．Reading.

B．Exhibition.

C．Performance.

D．Overlooking.

2. What do we know about the New York Public Library?

A．It was founded in 1895.

B．April 2021 marks its 125th year.

C．It has become the world's tallest building.

D．It was completed after the Chrysler Building was built.

3. Which of the following wins a longer title of "the world's tallest building”?

A．The Met.

B．The Empire State Building.

C．The New York Public Library.

D．The Chrysler Building.

9 . Black Valley, 63 kilometers from downtown Chongqing, is one of the best preserved natural wonders around the municipality. The national 5A-level scenic spot is a popular summer resort for sightseeing, forest adventures, outdoor camping, hunting and angling.

Located in Heishan town, Wansheng Economic Development Zone, the scenic spot spans over 103 square kilometers, 97 percent of which are covered by primitive forests. With over 110,000 negative oxygen ions in each cubic centimeter of air, it is dubbed as a natural oxygen bar and “the most beautiful healthcare-themed valley.”

Black Valley is also known as “the natural gene bank of Chongqing and Guizhou regions” for the diversity of its rare plants and wildlife, including Cathaya argyrophylla, Davidia involucrata, Trachypithecus francoisi and clouded leopards.

Scenic spot level: AAAAA

Address: Heishan town, Wansheng Economic Development Zone, 63 kilometers from downtown Chongqing Opening hours: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm (peak season from November to February), 9:00 am-3:00 pm (off season from March to October)

Ideal sightseeing season: from May to September

Ticket price: 60 yuan ($8.72) during off season and 100 yuan during peak season, sightseeing bus and cable not included.

Notes:

1. It is recommended that tourists start from the higher southern area for a downward journey.

2. The average temperature is 18.1 degrees.

3. It’s a good idea to experience the local folk culture of the Miao ethnic group, especially when you choose to visit in May when the traditional Caishan Festival of Miao ethnic group is celebrated.

1. What can we know about Black Valley?

A．It lies in downtown Chongqing.

B．Plants and wildlife are rarely seen there.

C．A visit there costs at most 100 yuan.

D．The air is very high in negative oxygen ions there.

2. A best time for a visitor and lover of the folk culture to Black Valley is in

A．January.

B．March.

C．May.

D．July.

3. Which section is the text taken from in a newspaper?

A．Culture.

B．Travel.

C．Nature.

D．Wildlife.

10 . Joella and Joanna are 20-year-old twins. On April 6, Joella _________ ,on Facebook that Joanna was suffering Leukemia, a type of cancer that _________ the blood and bone marrow （髓）. And she _________ shaved her head alongside her twin sister in a moving video, which has since gone viral.

_________ COVID-19 lockdown （封城）, Joanna was forced to begin her chemotherapy treatments alone in the hospital. ''Without her family there to _________ her hand and wipe her tears when she needs it," Joella said in the _________ . “The only contact we had with her was through video calls and messages," Joella shared. ''It is a(n） _________ time for my family but especially for my _________ "

When Joanna made the difficult decision to shave her head to make her _________ easier, Joella ____________ her sister by doing the same. "I couldn't let her ____________ it alone so I decided we'll do it together just like everything else we've done together in this ____________" Joella explained. " I ____________ you so much, my beautiful sister. You are a fighter and we’ll fight this battle together."

The ____________ video, which shows the entire family hugging and wiping away each other's tears as both sisters have their heads shaved, has been ____________ by 11 million times, plus more than 140.000 ____________ from well-wishers around the globe. "Your sister is strong and beautiful," said one ____________ . “She will fight this and win."

Joella later ____________ a photo of the two sisters smiling, looking ____________ with their newly shaven heads. "My first best friend," she ____________ the picture. "By your side through it all."

1.

A．landed

B．found

C．announced

D．focused

2.

A．absorbs

B．affects

C．cleans

D．thickens

3.

A．regretfully

B．painfully

C．hesitantly

D．bravely

4.

A．Duc to

B．According to

C．Regardless of

D．Rather than

5.

A．lift

B．give

C．shake

D．hold

6.

A．letter

B．video

C．interview

D．hospital

7.

A．special

B．hard

C．important

D．happy

8.

A．head .

B．hair

C．sister

D．mother

9.

A．treatments

B．achievements

C．feelings

D．movements

10.

A．called

B．supported

C．promised

D．accompanied

11.

A．go through with

B．come up with

C．get down to

D．go in for

12.

A．case

B．aspect

C．life

D．campaign

13.

A．love

B．envy

C．pity

D．appreciate

14.

A．amusing

B．exciting

C．amazing

D．touching

15.

A．noticed

B．answered

C．collected

D．viewed

16.

A．visits

B．suggestions

C．presents

D．comments

17.

A．user

B．customer

C．patient

D．doctor

18.

A．sent

B．took

C．shared

D．compared

19.

A．nervous

B．happy

C．shy

D．embarrassed

20.

A．signed

B．mentioned

C．captioned

D．described