A: Hello, Linda! You won first prize in the English speech competition! Congratulations!
B: Thank you!
A: How did you make it?
B:
A: How did you feel when you won the prize?
B:
A: During the three months, have you ever thought about giving it up?
B: Never.
A: You really did a good job. I believe you can make further improvement.
B: I hope so.
A: Well, my English is very poor. Can you give me some suggestions?
B: Sure. You can try listening to English songs and watching English movies.
A: OK. I’ll try doing these. Thank you.
A. It’s very kind of you.
B. I think hard work will pay off one day.
C. I got surprised and couldn’t help crying.
D. I want to be an English teacher in the future.
E. I practiced the speech every day for three months.
F. I am becoming more and more interested in English now.
G. It’s also a good idea to read English newspapers and magazines.
2 . “How do you explain the fact that even though you were both blind and deaf, you were able to accomplish so much?”Queen Victoria of England asked Helen Keller.
Ms Keller answered,“If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown.”
In fact,“Little Annie”, as she was called when she was young, was no stranger to hardship. She was almost sightless herself（due to a childhood fever）and was, at one time, diagnosed as hopelessly“insane（精神错乱的）”and locked in the basement of a mental institution. On occasion, Little Annie would even violently attack anyone who came near.
An elderly nurse believed there was hope, and she made it her mission（使命）to show love to the child. She still continued to visit for she believed Little Annie could recover, if she was shown love.
Eventually, doctors noticed a change in the girl.Where they witnessed anger and coldness they noted gentleness and love. They moved her to the upstairs where she continued to improve. Then the day finally came when this seemingly“hopeless”child was released.
Anne Sullivan grew into a young woman with a desire to help others as she, herself, was helped by the kind nurse. It was she who saw the great potential in Helen Keller. She loved her, disciplined（训练）her,played with her and worked with her until the weak candle became a beacon of light to the world. She worked wonders in Helen's life, but it was a loving nurse who first believed in Little Annie and lovingly transformed an uncommunicative child into a compassionate（充满同情心）teacher.
If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown. But if ithad not been for a kind and devoted nurse, the name of Anne Sullivan would have remained unknown. And so it goes. And how far forward will it lead?
1. When she was young, Little Annie ______________ .| A．enjoyed being locked in the basement |
| B．complained about her loneliness |
| C．showed her friendly attitude to others |
| D．suffered from mental illness |
| A．Because an efficient way was found by doctors to cure her illness. |
| B．Because a nurse who was concerned about her helped her constantly. |
| C．Because she was taken good care of by her relatives. |
| D．Because the illness was defeated by her own strong will. |
| A．She devoted all her time to dealing with everything for Helen Keller. |
| B．She promised Helen Keller she would never leave her. |
| C．She trained Helen Keller to control her behaviour. |
| D．She encouraged Helen Keller to make friends with others. |
| A．A caring nurse | B．Chain of love |
| C．Without respect without success | D．No pain, no gain |
3 . Any foreigner who has tried to learn Chinese can tell how hard it is to master the tones required to speak and understand. And anyone who has tried to learn to play the violin or other instruments can report similar challenges.
Now researchers have found that people with musical training have an easier time learning Chinese. Writing in the online edition of Nature Neuroscience，researchers from Northwestern University say that both skills draw on the same parts of the brain that help people discover changes in pitch(音调).
One of the study's authors，Nina Kraus，said the findings suggested that studying music “actually tunes our sensory system”.This means that schools that want children to do well in languages should hesitate before cutting music programs，Dr. Kraus said. She said music training might also help children with language problems.
Mandarin(普通话)speakers have been shown to have a more complex encoding(编码) of pitch patterns in their brains than English speakers do. This is because in Mandarin and other Asian languages，pitch plays a central role. A singlesyllable word can have several meanings depending on how it is intoned.
For this study，the researchers looked at 20 nonChinese speaking volunteers，half with no musical background and half who have studied an instrument for at least six years.
As they were shown a movie，the volunteers also heard an audio tape of the Mandarin word “mi” in three of its meanings:squint，bewilder and rice. The researchers recorded activities in their brain stems to see how well they were processing the sounds. Those with a music background showed much more brain activities in response to the Chinese sounds.
The lead author of the study，Patrick C.M.Wong，said it might work both ways. It appears that native speakers of tonal languages may do better at learning instruments.
1. When learning Chinese，a foreigner will find ________.| A．he has a difficult time learning music at the same time |
| B．he has an easier time learning music at the same time |
| C．it is hard to master the tones required to speak and understand |
| D．it is easy to use the brain to help him discover changes in pitch |
| A．Because there is the same difficulty in learning Chinese and music. |
| B．Because skills to learn the two make use of the same parts of the brain. |
| C．Because music training might help people with language study. |
| D．Because people who do well in Chinese study do well in music. |
| A．created | B．spelled | C．seemed | D．pronounced |
| A．Mandarin Speakers Are Smarter than English Speakers |
| B．Skilled Ear for Music May Help Language Study |
| C．Pitch Plays a Central Role in Chinese Learning |
| D．Schools Need to Develop Music Programs |
4 . Last week, Vodafone started a test of the UK’s first full 5G service, available for use by businesses in Salford. It is part of its plan to trial the technology in seven UK cities. But what can we expect from the next generation of mobile technology?
One thing we will see in the preparation for the test is lots of tricks with the new tech. Earlier this year, operators paid almost £1.4 billion for the 5G wavelengths, and to compensate for that cash, they will need to catch the eye of consumers. In September, Vodafone used its bit of the range to display the UK’s first hologram (全息) call. The Manchester City captain Steph Houghton appeared as a hologram in Newbury. It isn’t all holograms, however: 5G will offer faster internet access. with Ofcom (英国通讯管理局) suggesting that video that takes a minute to download on 4G will be available in just a second.
The wider application is to support connected equipment on the “internet of things” -not just the internet-enabled fridge that can reorder your milk for you, but the network that will enable driverless cars and delivery drones (无人机) to communicate with each other.
Prof William Webb has warned that the technology could be a case of the emperor’s new clothes. Much of the speed increase, he claims, could have been achieved by putting more money in the 4G network, rather than a new technology. Other different voices have suggested that a focus on rolling out wider rural broadband access and addressing current network coverage would be more beneficial to the UK as a whole.
Obviously, 5G will also bring a cost to consumers. It requires a handset for both 5G and 4G, and the first 5G-enabled smart phones are expected in the coming year. With the slow pace of network rollout so far, it is likely that consumers will end up upgrading to a new 5G phone well before 5G becomes widely available in the next couple of years.
1. Why does Prof William Webb say “the technology could be a case of the emperor’s new clothes”?| A．He is in favor of the application of the new technology. |
| B．5G will bring a cost to consumers in their daily life. |
| C．5G helps people communicate better with each other. |
| D．He prefers more money to be spent on 4G networks. |
| A．making a speech to | B．trying to solve |
| C．managing to decrease | D．responding to |
| A．it’ll take several years to make 5G accessible to the public in the UK |
| B．5G service shows huge development potential and a broad market |
| C．customers are eager to use 5G smart phones instead of 4G ones |
| D．it’s probable that 5G network rollout is speeding up in Britain |
| A．Vodafone is successful in spreading the 5G service. |
| B．Steph Houghton appeared as a hologram by 4G . |
| C．The application of 5G will make life much easier. |
| D．5G phones are available in rural areas of the UK. |
5 . Here is a record of the discussion about AI (artificial intelligence) conducted by several scientists:
Scientist A: I would say that we are quite a long way off developing the AI, though I do think it will happen within the next thirty or forty years. We will probably remain in control of technology and it will help us solve many of the world’s problems. However, no one really knows what will happen if machines become more intelligent than humans. They may help us, ignore us or destroy us. I tend to believe AI will have a positive influence on our future lives, but whether that is true will be partly up to us.
Scientist B: I have to admit that the potential consequences of creating something that can match or go beyond human intelligence frighten me. Even now, scientists are teaching computers how to learn on their own. At some point in the near future, their intelligence may well take off and develop at an ever-increasing speed. Human beings evolve biologically very slowly and we would be quickly substituted. In the short term, there is the danger that robots will take over millions of human jobs, creating a large underclass of unemployed people. This could mean large-scale poverty and social unrest. In the long term machines might decide the world would be better without humans.
Scientist C: I’m a member of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots. Forget the movie image of a terrifying Terminator stamping on human skulls and think of what’s happening right now: military machines like drones, gun turrets and sentry robots are already being used to kill with very little human input. The next step will be autonomous “murderbots” following orders but finally deciding who to kill on their own. It seems clear to me that this would be extremely dangerous for humans. We need to be very cautious indeed about what we ask machines to do.
1. What is Scientist B worried about?| A．AI technology will destroy the earth. | B．Robots will take the place of humans. |
| C．Computers can’t think by themselves. | D．Humans will be unhappy without machines. |
| A．I launched the campaign to Stop Killer Robots. |
| B．We forget the movie image of a terrifying Terminator. |
| C．“Murderbots” will be against humans’ orders. |
| D．“Murderbots” can’t decide by themselves. |
| A．The employment will be affected by AI technology in the future. |
| B．Scientist A thinks AI technology will never develop. |
| C．“Murderbots” will follow the orders of their manufacturers in the wars. |
| D．All the three scientists agree that AI technology will benefit human beings. |
| A．Scientist A. | B．Scientists B & C. | C．Scientist B. | D．Scientists B & A. |
6 . My mother died in August 2005. Eight months later, I began to come out of the fog of sadness and depression to find a new purpose for my life.
Like many of my generation, I had lived only for myself —traveling, acquiring possessions, rising to a position of importance and seeking financial rewards. I was “charitable” and “volunteered” for various causes, but really didn’t give of myself.
In the spring after my mom’s death, I found myself waking in the middle of the night with one thought. I felt forced to offer myself as a living kidney donor. My husband Robb had received the gift of life through a kidney transplant(移植)from a dead donor in 1999, so I was familiar with the enormous need for donors and knew several people who were waiting for a lifesaving transplant. I decided to offer myself to be matched with the most compatible(互不排斥的)person on the waiting list at my local transplant center.
I was paired with 71-year-old Dee from New Jerse who had survived for six years on peritoneal dialysis(腹腔透析). At her 70th birthday, her family threw a big party as they did not expect her to live much longer. Dee has become my very good friend. Almost two years after the transplant, I was privileged to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband, their five children and their extended family.
In donating my kidney, I extended myself in a way far beyond what I ever believed was possible. I did so in honor of my mother who sacrificed so much for me and my sisters, and in memory of my husband’s donor who extended her 1ife through him.
I encourage all who enjoy the gift of good health to share with others, either as a living donor or by appointing organ donation upon death. By extending yourself through organ donation, you will live on through others in an extraordinary way and give comfort to your loved ones.
1. What does the underlined phrase “give of” mean?| A．Relieve. | B．Devote |
| C．Appreciate | D．Forgive |
| A．Dee was the author’s old friend |
| B．The author attended Dee’s birthday party |
| C．Dee treated the author as a family member |
| D．The author’s donation made Dee live six years longer |
| A．An old lady benefited from organ donation |
| B．The memory of my beloved mother |
| C．The deep meaning of love |
| D．Extend yourself |
7 . What are the biggest problems that society will have to deal with in the new age? There re diseases like AIDS and cancer. There’s climate change, of course. And what about producing enough cheap food and energy for the world’s growing population? Who’s going to solve all these terrible problems? Yes, politicians and world leaders will have a big part to play. Yes businesses will need to create the economic wealth to pay for some of these things. But who’s going to make a much greater difference to something like AIDS or climate change. It’s going to be a scientist. It is the scientist who can turn some new bit of science into a new technology to solve these problems. If you like thinking about the world around you, why not become a scientist? It doesn’t mean you have to wear a white coat and plastic glasses and spend all your time in a lab as most people often imagine! Scientists do all kinds of amazing things that are actually interesting!
Military scientists develop not only new weapons but new military technologies that could help make wars out of date. Forensic (法医的) scientists work with the police to find quite small clues to catch criminals. Scientists work in schools and colleges as the teachers and professors who will train tomorrow’s scientists. Don’t think a scientist is far away! Maybe you like cooking? You could be a food technologist helping to keep fruit and vegetables fresher for longer. Perhaps sport is your thing? Do you know that most top athletes work with sports scientists in order or improve their performance? You could even be the science writer who gets to spend the life studying the latest advances and sharing them with the world.
Looking for something to do for the rest of your life? My advice? Take a long and hard look at science. It is interesting and ever.
1. Many problems are mentioned in the first paragraph to .| A．suggest they are impossible to be solved |
| B．introduce the causes of these problems |
| C．show the writer’s worry about the future world |
| D．show scientists play an important part in solving them |
| A．Advanced weapons | B．Enough energy |
| C．New technologies | D．A growing population |
| A．amazing | B．boring |
| C．colorful | D．unreal |
| A．Owing to military technologies, there has been no wars |
| B．For those interested in cooking, food technologies may be a choice |
| C．Forensic scientists play an important part in dealing with crimes |
| D．Most athletes can achieve greater achievement with the help of sports scientists |
8 . The sky is large place, and though it has been carefully examined for centuries, new features still turn up. Last March it was the rule of Uranus (天王星), and last week astronomers announced what may turn out to be a new planet, though a very small one, in the solar system.
The object was first sighted last month by Charles Kowal, an astronomer at the Hale Observatories in Pasadena, Calif. Mr. Kowal observed a faint trail of light on photographic plates, indicating that something was moving in relation to the background of stars. Other observers have confirmed the discovery.
The “mini-planet”, identified for the time being as “Object-Kowal”, appears to be about 1.5 billion miles away, between the orbit of Saturn and Uranus, and its diameter (直径) has been estimated at between 100 and 400 miles. Its orbit has not been determined yet, but if the orbit proves to be roughly circular, like that of the major planets, the new object would probably take 66 to 70 years to make a circuit of the sun.
Some astronomers have speculated that Mr. Kowal’s discovery may be the first indication of an asteroid (小行星) belt beyond Saturn.
1. What may have been found in the solar system according to the first paragraph?| A．A small new planet | B．A new solar system |
| C．A large new object | D．A large new planet |
| A．What the object is like |
| B．How the object was found |
| C．Where the astronomers live |
| D．Why the object was moving |
| A．Astronomy | B．Industry |
| C．Spaceflight | D．Agriculture |
阅读短文，从每题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项。
After a terrible electrical accident, which caused him to become both blind and deaf, the whole world became completely dark and quiet for Robert Edwards for almost ten years. The loss of sight and hearing threw him into such sorrow that he tried a few times to put an end to his life. His family, especially his wife, did their best to tend and comfort him and finally he regained the will to live.
One hot summer afternoon, he was taking a walk with a stick near his house when a thunderstorm started all at once. He stood under a large tree to avoid getting wet, but he was struck by the lightning. Witnesses thought he was dead but he woke up some 20 minutes later lying face down in muddy water at the base of the tree. He was trembling badly, but when he opened his eyes, he could hardly believe what he saw: a plough and a wall. When Mrs. Edwards came running up to him, shouting to their neighbors to call for help, he could see her and hear her voice for the first time in nearly ten years.
The news of Robert regaining his sight and hearing quickly spread, and many doctors came to examine him. Most of them said that he regained his sight and hearing from the shock he got from the lightning. However, none of them could give a convincing answer as to why this should have happened. The only reasonable explanation given by one doctor was that, since Robert lost his sight and hearing as a result of a sudden shock, perhaps, the only way for him to regain them was by another sudden shock.
1. The reason for Robert’s attempts to kill himself was that .
| A．a terrible traffic accident happened to him |
| B．he had to live in a dark and silent world |
| C．he was struck by the lightning once more |
| D．nobody in the world cared about him |
| A．Sheltering from the rain under a tree. |
| B．Driving a car. |
| C．Taking a walk with a stick. |
| D．Lying on the ground. |
| A．there was no accurate explanation for Robert's recovery |
| B．many doctors came because Robert was badly injured |
| C．Robert’s wife sent for doctors immediately after the shock |
| D．a sudden Injury In the head led to Robert’s recovery |
| A．A Terrible Electrical Accident |
| B．Robert Edwards and His Wife |
| C．What a Sudden Shock |
| D．An Unforgettable Experience |
10 . The effects of coffee consumption on health have long been a subject of conflict and uncertainty.Since the 1980s,some have spoken out against coffee as harmful to health,while others have welcomed coffee for its supposed benefits to health.
According to a scientific report,mild coffee consumption,three to five cups per day,can he taken as a healthy dietary pattern,along with other healthful behaviors.The report also says that coffee consumption helps reduce the risk of heart disease and it protects against Parkinson's disease.
According to Dr.Donald Hensrud of Mayo Clinic,high consumption of coffee has health risks.Dr.Hensrud mentions the dangers of high coffee consumption for people with a certain illness that slows the breakdown of caffeine in the body.Some studies said that drinking two or more cups of coffee daily can actually increase the risk of heart disease in these people.
According to conclusions from a recent study led by Dr.Gregory Marcus,a doctor from the University of California San Francisco,daily moderate consumption of caffeine,less than 4 cups,is not associated with these issues.
Until the scientific community reaches a general agreement on the effects of coffee consumption on human health,it will be up to the individual to decide whether the benefits of drinking coffee are greater than the risks.
When informed of these possible health benefits and harms of drinking coffee,Harwood,a high school student stated,"Even though there might be some negative effects of drinking coffee,for the most part,coffee drinking sounds good for health.Not to mention I need coffee to stay awake."
1. What is the people's attitude towards the effects of coffee on health according to Paragraph 1?| A．Disapproving. | B．Tolerant. |
| C．Doubtful. | D．Mixed. |
| A．Personal. | B．Slight. |
| C．Reasonable. | D．Heavy. |
| A．He'll keep on drinking coffee. | B．He loves his high school life. |
| C．He often falls asleep in class. | D．He has some health problems. |
| A．Why People Love Coffee? | B．How Coffee Affects Health? |
| C．The Culture of Coffee Drinking | D．The New Findings of Heart Disease |
