1 . The Mona Lisa is the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting of a woman with a mysterious smile. This week, the painting gave up a secret.
Scientists using X-rays to examine the chemical structure of a small part of the painting discovered a technique Leonardo used in the work. An oil paint used for it was a special, new chemical mixture, which suggests that the Italian artist was in an experimental mood when he worked on the painting in the 16th century.
“He loved to experiment, and each of his paintings is completely different technically,”said Victor Gonzalez, a chemist who has studied the chemical element (成分) of several works by Leonardo and other artists. The researchers found a rare lead compound (铅化合物) — plumbonacrite, in Leonardo’s first layer of paint. The discovery proved that da Vinci most likely used lead oxide to thicken and help dry his paint. The paint in the study is about the thickness of a human hair, lying in the top right area of the painting.
The scientists looked into its atomic structure using X-rays, moving particles at the speed of light, permitting researchers to look deeper into the paint structure. “ Plumbonacrite is really a fingerprint of his recipe, as it’s the first time we can chemically confirm it,” Gonzalez said.
Dutch artist Rembrandt may have used a similar mixture when he was painting in the 17th century. Gonzalez and other researchers have found plumbonacrite in his work, too. Leonardo is thought to have put lead oxide powder, which has an orange color, in the oil to make it thicker and dry faster. “What you will get is an oil that has a very nice golden color,” Gonzalez said. “It flows more like honey.”
But the Mona Lisa — said by the Louvre to be a portrait (肖像) of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a Florentine silk businessman — and additional works by Leonardo still have other secrets to tell. “What we are saying is just a little brick in the knowledge,” Gonzalez said.
1. What’s the new discovery about the Mona Lisa?| A．A new explanation of the secret smile. |
| B．A new chemical element used in the painting. |
| C．The secret of the woman in the painting. |
| D．The structure of the paint da Vinci used. |
| A．Open secret. | B．Widespread use. | C．Hidden element. | D．Long-term dream. |
| A．It helps to make many things into paints. |
| B．It helps to make paints easy to deal with. |
| C．It helps to keep the paintings last long. |
| D．It helps to make paintings rich in color. |
| A．It has more secrets to tell the world. |
| B．It’s the portrait of a silk businessman. |
| C．It’s well kept in bricks in the Louvre. |
| D．It has a mixture of different art styles. |
2 . As a child, I was fascinated by the world of theater and began taking classes at the age of 7. Throughout my teenage years, I actively
Despite this, in my everyday life, I was often plagued (困扰) by
Performing was an excellent way for me to
Looking back, my time as a
| A．participated in | B．carried out | C．dealt with | D．applied for |
| A．Studying | B．Dancing | C．Acting | D．Teaching |
| A．predict | B．confirm | C．influence | D．experience |
| A．results | B．benefits | C．features | D．rules |
| A．generous | B．familiar | C．confident | D．strange |
| A．curiosity | B．excitement | C．misunderstanding | D．nervousness |
| A．places | B．cities | C．groups | D．cultures |
| A．sports | B．roles | C．matches | D．songs |
| A．missed | B．challenged | C．changed | D．acquired |
| A．overcome | B．ignore | C．remove | D．hide |
| A．adventurous | B．casual | C．skillful | D．funny |
| A．Moreover | B．Therefore | C．Otherwise | D．However |
| A．task | B．plan | C．story | D．future |
| A．persuasion | B．support | C．permission | D．comfort |
| A．reminded | B．inform | C．assured | D．warned |
| A．emotional | B．creative | C．popular | D．professional |
| A．freedom | B．growth | C．adaptation | D．satisfaction |
| A．suitable | B．acceptable | C．valuable | D．flexible |
| A．eager | B．sorry | C．grateful | D．ready |
| A．heard | B．supposed | C．expected | D．learned |
3 . The sharing economy is a trend that has been growing in recent years. This economy is based on sharing resources, such as cars, homes, and even clothing, rather than owning them outright. Some popular examples of the sharing economy include Uber, Airbnb, and Lyft.
The sharing economy has several potential benefits. For one, it can help reduce waste and increase sustainability(可持续性), as resources are being used more efficiently. Additionally, it can help provide more affordable options for consumers, as well as create new sources of income for people who may not have had access to traditional job opportunities.
However, there are also potential drawbacks to the sharing economy. Many of the workers in the sharing economy are considered independent contractors, which means they are not entitled to the same benefits and protections as traditional employees. Additionally, there have been concerns about safety and insurance coverage for both the workers and consumers using these services.
1. What is the sharing economy?| A．An economy based on owning resources outright. |
| B．An economy based on sharing resources. |
| C．An economy based on consuming more resources. |
| D．An economy based on throwing away resources. |
| A．It can create more waste and reduce sustainability. |
| B．It can create more expensive options for consumers. |
| C．It can provide affordable options for consumers and create new sources of income. |
| D．It can reduce job opportunities. |
| A．Private car ownership, traditional hotels, and taxis. |
| B．Public transportation, traditional hotels, and taxis. |
| C．Uber, Airbnb, and Lyft. |
| D．Uber, private car ownership, and public transportation. |
| A．It can create more traditional job opportunities. |
| B．It can eliminate traditional job opportunities. |
| C．It can provide new sources of income. |
| D．It can reduce job opportunities. |
4 . Technology has revolutionized (使革命化) the way we work in many ways. One of the most significant changes has been the shift towards remote and flexible work. With the rise of internet and cloud-based software, workers are no longer tied to a physical office and can work from anywhere with an internet connection. This has allowed for greater flexibility and work-life balance, as well as reduced commuting (通勤) time and costs.
Another major change is the increasing use of automation and artificial intelligence in the workplace. This has the potential to increase efficiency and productivity, as well as reduce the need for certain types of work. However, it also raises concerns about job displacement and the need for workers to adapt to new technologies.
Finally, technology has greatly expanded the types of jobs available. With the rise of the gig (临时工) economy and freelance (自由职业者) work, workers can now find opportunities in areas such as graphic design (平面设计), copywriting (文案撰写), and social media management. This has created opportunities for individuals to work in areas that were previously inaccessible or did not exist.
1. What is the shift in the way we work brought about by technology?| A．Flexible and remote work. | B．Tying people to a physical office. |
| C．Increased commuting and travel. | D．Higher costs and lower productivity. |
| A．It has reduced work-life balance. | B．It has increased commuting time and costs. |
| C．It has allowed for greater flexibility and work-life balance. | D．It has caused job displacement. |
| A．Increased job displacement. | B．Reduced efficiency and productivity. |
| C．Increased efficiency and productivity. | D．Increased commuting and travel. |
| A．Technology has decreased the number of available jobs. |
| B．Technology has created opportunities for individuals to work in areas that were previously inaccessible or did not exist. |
| C．Technology has only impacted traditional office jobs. |
| D．Technology has increased commuting time and costs. |
5 . How do you spend your spare time? There will be different answers to it. Most people in Poland(波兰) have their own ways of spending free time. Sometimes they just want to have a rest, but they try to do something more pleasant most of the time. They have many different hobbies, which help them to get away from their everyday problems and spend their free time happily.
Many Polish(波兰的) people like travelling. They look for new places that they have never been to and add new and exciting experiences to their journey. Some of them like to climb mountains, others like to go to the sea or a lake to swim, because these can make them get exercise and are good for their health.
Many Polish people also like to watch sports in their free time. They are usually crazy about football, and football is regarded as the Polish national sport. Many football fans may support a certain team, so they go to watch every match of the team they support, and they buy many things that have any relation with the team. Watching a sport and doing it are both good ways to relax.
In addition, doctors say that doing sports is very good for the health. Many people in town, especially young men, often go to the gym to attend the exercise classes to keep fit.
Besides these ways, Polish people have many other ways to spend their free time. And they really enjoy their free time.
1. Polish people have many different hobbies in order to ________.| A．solve their daily problems | B．finish all their work |
| C．make some friends | D．relax themselves in their spare time |
| A．Because they hate travelling. | B．Because they can get exercise from it. |
| C．Because they can find a new place. | D．Because it is comfortable and funny. |
| A．Playing football. | B．Climbing mountains. |
| C．Skating. | D．Swimming. |
6 . History can be found at every turn, and every corner, as you walk the streets of this architectural marvel of a city, and at Powis Place and Fraser Studios you are just a short 15-minute walk away from one of the universities in the country. Links can be found to the University of Aberdeen as far back as 1495, beautiful medieval (中世纪的) campus to back up its claims.
It makes it the fifth oldest university in the whole of the UK, and as a result it has always been a regarded higher education establishment. It has been voted the 2019 Scottish University of the Year and ranked in the Top 30 Universities in the UK in 2019. It attracts people from all over the UK and abroad. With distance learning choices, it is an attractive proposition to many students. The Sir Duncan Rice Library has perfect views of the entire city and beaches, and the university has one of the largest medical campuses in the whole of Europe.
Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) is home to over 150 societies and hundred activities relating to those societies. It ensures that whatever you are interested in you are well served when moving to the city as a student. It is a fantastic way to meet and make new friends with people from all over the world. Within the Union there is a café and a shop, with many food outlets providing daily refreshments (茶点) during breaks between lectures and study. There are also plenty of volunteering and training opportunity to take part in, whether you are looking for a hobby, to help others, to present your CV, or all of the above.
The University of Aberdeen certainly holds some reputations, home to five previous Nobel Prize winners, an internationally-focused university in teaching and research, and even its very own tartan created in 1992 to celebrate the university’s 500th anniversary.
1. When was the University of Aberdeen first built?| A．2019. | B．1992. | C．1495. | D．500. |
| A．Choice. | B．Preparation. | C．Building. | D．History. |
| A．Five scientists won the Nobel Prize in 2019. |
| B．It gained the title of the 2019 Scottish University of the Year. |
| C．It has the largest medical campus in the world. |
| D．It is the 30th biggest university. |
| A．Join AUSA for over 150 societies. | B．Get volunteering opportunities. |
| C．Receive distance learning. | D．Enjoy the whole city and beaches. |
7 . 13-Day Arnhem Land Adventure
Nhulunbuy-Darwin
From $12, 395 pp twin share (pp=per person)
Fully accommodated
Trip lasts from May to Sep. 2023
Call 1800：688 222
outbackspirittours. com. au
Discover an unknown land on this special adventure through the heart of Arnhem Land. Travelling from Nhulunbuy to Darwin, you’ll journey through areas that no other tour company can take you, and that few outsiders have ever seen. Along the way, stay in our network of luxurious safari camps (豪华的游猎营地) and wilderness houses, including the Seven Spirit Bay on the Cobourg Peninsula. As part of the adventure, you’ll also enjoy real cultural activities with indigenous (土著的) guides, learning about this place from those who know it best.
Most exciting parts of the adventure include:
·Spend 7 nights in our network of safari camps and houses
·Discover the Arafura Swamp, location for the film “Ten Canoes”
·View ancient rock art galleries and sail in wetlands at Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris, Mount Borradaile
·Enjoy a Welcome to Country performance at Yirrkala
·Explore a historic Victoria Settlement at Port Essington, Circa 1838
·Discover the waters of the Cobourg Marine Park Sanctuary
·Fish for barramundi & enjoy breathtaking sea adventures
1. What do we know about this trip?| A．It starts at Arnhem Land. |
| B．It will be organised for September first. |
| C．It requires every visitor to spend at least $12,395. |
| D．It asks people to pay additional money for their accommodation. |
| A．Exploring Amhem Land deeply like other companies do. |
| B．Experiencing local culture with indigenous guides. |
| C．Travelling with experienced outsiders. |
| D．Making camp in the wild. |
| A．Having chances to cook fish alone. |
| B．Visiting historical sites at Yirrkala. |
| C．Spending nights at safari camps. |
| D．Taking part in making a film. |
8 . Five years ago, Chinese skater Wu Dajing introduced himself to the skating world by winning a silver medal at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games. At Pyeong Chang Olympics, Wu not only returned, but also made history.
On Feb 22th, 2018, Wu won the gold medal in the men’s short-track 500-metre race. He set a new world record with a time of 39.584 seconds. He also became the first Chinese man to take home an Olympic short-track gold medal. BBC said Wu’s win was “flawless”, because he was much faster than all of the other skaters.
“I didn’t give them a chance and I kept my speed from the start,” he told the media after the match.
But China’s short-track teams didn’t do well in general at the Games. Chinese skaters in the women’s 500 metres, 3000-metre relay and men’s 1500 metres all failed to take home the gold. Wu was China’s biggest hope, which put a lot of pressure on him. But he proved himself with his great performance.
Wu is now known as a highly talented skater. But things were not always that way. When Wu joined the national team in 2010, he was seen as almost “nothing” compared to gifted skaters like Zhou Yang and Fan Kexin, as his coaches said at the time. Their comments made him quite upset. But as the saying goes. “Winners never quit (放弃) and quitters never win”. Wu didn’t want to give up and worked as hard as he could. He practiced skating all year round. He even didn’t return to his hometown for the holidays for 10 years. “I believe in myself.” he told the media after his match at the Olympics.
1. People began to know Wu Dajing by the time he .| A．won the second place at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games |
| B．won a gold medal at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games |
| C．won a gold medal at Pycong Chang Olympic Winter Games |
| D．entered the Pycong Chang Olympic Winter Games |
| A．common | B．valuable | C．perfect | D．difficult |
| A．Wu won a gold medal at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games four years ago. |
| B．Wu broke the world record with a time of 39.584 seconds and made history. |
| C．Wu’s coaches placed great hope on him when he joined the national team. |
| D．Chinese skaters in women’s 500 metres, 3000-metre relay took home the gold. |
| A．The national team and coaches thought Wu as a talented skater all the way. |
| B．Wu kept on practicing skating all year round even in the holidays for 10 years. |
| C．Zhou Yang and Fan Kexin were more hard-working on skating than Wu Dajing. |
| D．It is the hardwork, confidence and strong will that have made Wu a winner. |
9 . Many years ago, I bought a house in the Garfagnana, where we still go every summer. The first time we
What we discovered is that it’s
It’s good to eat things at the correct time, when they’re
| A．waited | B．met | C．camped | D．stayed |
| A．making | B．searching | C．squeezing | D．feeling |
| A．customer | B．neighbor | C．relative | D．passenger |
| A．lend | B．send | C．bring | D．show |
| A．choice | B．comment | C．promise | D．gesture |
| A．worried | B．moved | C．thrilled | D．bored |
| A．simple | B．real | C．shiny | D．fun |
| A．more | B．good | C．new | D．easy |
| A．sympathetic to | B．thankful for | C．cautious about | D．interested in |
| A．tried | B．sold | C．returned | D．mixed |
| A．unnecessary | B．uncertain | C．unwise | D．unusual |
| A．appearance | B．quality | C．origin | D．price |
| A．size | B．shape | C．color | D．taste |
| A．smell | B．look | C．become | D．work |
| A．happy | B．vivid | C．short | D．vague |
| A．clean | B．check | C．count | D．pack |
| A．perfect | B．useful | C．convenient | D．familiar |
| A．on view | B．on sale | C．in season | D．in need |
| A．finished | B．stored | C．found | D．grown |
| A．cooked | B．given | C．bought | D．told |
10 . Where to Eat in Bangkok
Bangkok is a highly desirable destination for food lovers. It has a seemingly bottomless well of dining options. Here are some suggestions on where to start your Bangkok eating adventure.
Nahm
Offering Thai fine dining. Nahm provides the best of Bangkok culinary (烹饪的) experiences. It’s the only Thai restaurant that ranks among the top 10 of the world’s 50 best restaurants list. Head Chef David Thompson, who received a Michelin star for his London-based Thai restaurant of the same name, opened this branch in the Metropolitan Hotel in 2010.
Issaya Siamese Club
Issaya Siamese Club is internationally known Thai chef Ian Kittichai’s first flagship Bangkok restaurant. The menu in this beautiful colonial house includes traditional Thai cuisine combined with modern cooking methods.
Bo.lan
Bo.lan has been making waves in Bangkok’s culinary scene since it opened in 2009. Serving hard-to-find Thai dishes in an elegant atmosphere, the restaurant is true to Thai cuisine’s roots, yet still manages to add a special twist. This place is good for a candle-lit dinner or a work meeting with colleagues who appreciate fine food. For those extremely hungry, there’s a large set menu.
Gaggan
Earning first place on the latest “Asia’s 50 best restaurants” list, progressive Indian restaurant Gaggan is one of the most exciting venues (场所) to arrive in Bangkok in recent years. The best table in this two-story colonial Thai home offers a window right into the kitchen, where you can see chef Gaggan and his staff in action. Culinary theater at its best.
1. What do Nahm and Issaya Siamese Club have in common?| A．They adopt modern cooking methods. | B．They have branches in London. |
| C．They have top-class chefs. | D．They are based in hotels. |
| A．Gaggan. | B．Bo. lan. | C．Issaya Siamese Club. | D．Nahm. |
| A．It hires staff from India. | B．It puts on a play every day. |
| C．It serves hard-to-find local dishes. | D．It shows the cooking process to guests. |
