1 . For many, Labor Day weekend signals the end of summer and an opportunity to host a socially-distanced barbecue (an outdoor meal). But this national holiday—celebrated every year in the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September—has revolutionary (革命性的) origins.
By the late 19th century, the Industrial Revolution had made working life miserable for people around the world. In many places, workers toiled for at least 12 hours a day six days a week in mines, factories, railroads, and mills. This holiday actually originated in the US on May 1, 1866, in what came to be known as the Haymarket Riot, workers flooded Chicago streets to demand an eight-hour workday.
It would take another conflict in the American Midwest to make Labor Day a national holiday. On May 11, 1894, workers at the Pullman Palace Car Company, a railroad car manufacturer near Chicago, went on strike to protest their low wages and 16-hour workdays. In August 1893, James Kyle introduced federal legislation (立法) to make Labor Day a public holiday, but for ten months the legislation was put on hold. To quiet the strikers and their supporters, the Senate quickly passed the bill on June 22. The bill passed the House four days later and President Grover Cleveland signed it into law on June 28, 1894.
The holiday is more information May Day labor celebrations. Many observers relax at home or head to outdoor recreational activities, such as boating, barbecues, and camping. It may also be marked with fireworks shows and other events. Labor Day has also become associated with retail sales, as many shop owners try to take advantage of the customers’ day off. It is one of the largest sales events of the year. meaning retail employees actually have to work more on this day. Parades are the most common model of celebration, which often feature processions of labor groups.
1. What do we know about the workers in the late 19th century?A.They were paid well. | B.They had long workdays. |
C.They often had a barbecue. | D.Their contributions were recognized. |
A.Put off. | B.Introduced. | C.Got through. | D.Protected. |
A.On May 1, 1886. | B.On August 22, 1893. | C.On May 11, 1894. | D.On June 28, 1894. |
A.The origins of Labor Day. | B.The labor groups achievements. |
C.The ways to celebrate Labor Day. | D.The official activities on Labor Day. |
2 . Life on earth evolves (进化) through the passing on of genes. How does culture evolve?
The evolutionary biologist, Richard Dawkins, coined the term “meme” in his book The Selfish Gene. According to Dawkins, while genes are the pieces of biological information from our parents which determines our appearance and how we grow, memes are units of cultural information — ideas and beliefs — that “pass from brain to brain”. Like genes, memes must compete for survival — if a meme cannot gain our attention. it disappears.
Basically, any shared idea related to culture is a meme. Myths, for example, are memes. Every society has its own stories that have survived, with some variations, for hundreds or thousands of years. The mythological dragon in Chinese culture is an idea that has been successfully passed among people for generations and is therefore also a meme.
Historically, memes have spread very gradually by word of mouth. Within Internet culture, though, a successful idea can be shared among millions of people within a few hours. Internet memes (which may for example, take the form of an image, a video or a website) may not last long, but they are particularly catching. They are shared “liked” copied and thus rapidly grown.
Then why do some ideas succeed in gaining our attention while others fail to attract us? It’s difficult to say, but humor is generally a factor. People are most likely to forward something to their friends if they think it is funny and the easier it is to digest the further the meme travels. Other memes may gain ground because they are something out of the ordinary. Aside from pure entertainment. Internet memes have a commercial aspect. Given their mass appeal, it is no surprise that advertisements turn up alongside them.
1. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “coined” in Paragraph 2?A.Accepted. | B.Preferred. | C.Invented. | D.Understood. |
A.They are genes passed down from our parents. |
B.They are cultural units that spread among people. |
C.They belong to myths in different cultures. |
D.They determine the development of the Internet. |
A.It spreads faster and wider. | B.It takes fewer forms. |
C.It’s harder to digest. | D.It lasts longer. |
A.The distance a meme can travel. | B.Achievements of Internet memes. |
C.Reasons for the success of some memes. | D.The uniqueness of a meme. |
3 . Cancer researchers urged people on Wednesday to take more vitamin D to lower risk of cancer, saying studies showed a clear link. “Our suggestion is for people to increase their intake, through diet or a vitamin supplement,” Dr. Cedric Garland said in a telephone interview.
Garland’s research team reviewed 63 studies, including several large long-term ones, on the relationship between vitamin D and certain types of cancer worldwide between 1966 and 2004. “There’s nothing that has this ability to prevent cancer,” he said, urging governments and public health officials to do more to fortify foods with vitamin D. Garland is part of a University of California at San Diego Moores Cancer Center team that published its findings this week online in the American Journal of Public Health. Vitamin D is found in milk, as well as in some fortified orange juice, yogurt and cheeses, usually at around 100 international units (IU) a serving. People might want to consider a vitamin supplement to raise their intake to 1000 IUs per day, Garland said, adding that it was well within the safety guidelines established by the National Academy of Sciences.
The authors said that taking more vitamin D could be especially important for people living in northern areas, which receive less vitamin D from sunshine.
African Americans, who don’t produce as much of the vitamin because of their skin colour, could also benefit significantly from a higher intake, the authors said.
1. According to the passage, people are advised to take more Vitamin D because ___________.A.it is nutritious | B.it can’t harm people’s health |
C.it can lower cancer risk | D.it is not taken enough every day |
A.Having some sunshine. | B.Having more meat. |
C.Having more fortified cheese. | D.Having a vitamin supplement. |
A.A health researcher. | B.A doctor. | C.A scientist. | D.A public health official. |
A.Milk. | B.Fortified orange juice. | C.Fortified yogurt. | D.All of the above. |
4 . One morning I noticed a woman sitting alone at the bus stop. She seemed not to go to work hurriedly. She wasn't going anywhere as well. Was she waiting for the bus? Did mall(商场)buses come this early when the stores wouldn't be open for hours? I felt puzzled. As I drove by, I heard a voice say, "Give her a bottle of water."
"She looks like she is sleeping. Why would I wake her? What is wrong with me? What is so hard about doing the right thing? It's just a bottle of water!"
So I drove by her again and again. Finally, I pulled my car into a parking zone, stepping out with a bottle of water in one hand and a twenty-dollar bill in the other. Each step seemed to fill me with purpose and focus. No words can describe what happened between us at that moment. I thought I was bringing her a cold drink, but instead I was bringing her a hope she needed. We sat together for a while as she talked. She had a sad story to tell, but she was no longer sad. Before we parted, I grabbed all the cash I had in my purse and found more water in my car along with some snacks. We stood at the bus stop hugging and said our goodbyes.
I still have a thousand questions as to why I struggled to act. Why did it take me many circles around the mall and an argument with myself? I was once torn between helping her and ignoring her. All I know for sure is that while walking toward that woman at the bus stop, a miracle happened.
There are opportunities for us to love every day. Maybe our doubts keep us from acting. Maybe we don't want to take the risk or be uncomfortable. That day, I learned how love answers when asked and how love both gives and receives.
1. How did the author feel about the woman sitting alone in the beginning?A.Annoyed. | B.Confused. | C.Terrified. | D.Amused. |
A.To observe the poor woman. | B.To search for a parking space. |
C.To evaluate whether to help her. | D.To improve the terribly poor driving skills. |
A.ready to accept | B.unable to decide | C.glad to receive | D.illegal to choose |
A.The wealth of life is action. | B.Love breaks down racial barriers. |
C.Actions speak louder than words. | D.The best act to love is taking action. |
5 . Climate breakdown threatens to cause a global food production crisis. The UN forecasts that by 2050, feeding the world will require a 20% expansion in global water use for agriculture. It is hard to see how agriculture can feed the population of the planet, let alone toward the end of the century and beyond. Agriculture is a major cause of climate breakdown, and both river and air pollution. Industrial fishing is similarly driving ecological collapse in seas around the world.
However, at this critical time, farming (a new kind of food technology) is creating astonishing possibilities to save both people and the planet. Farming will enable the return of vast areas of land and sea to nature, greatly reducing carbon emissions (排放物). It means an end to the employment of animals, a stop to overfishing, and a dramatic reduction in cutting down forests and the use of pesticides (杀虫剂). It is the best hope for stopping the destruction of the planet and, if it is done right, it means cheap and abundant food for everyone.
We are about to welcome one of the biggest economic transformations, of any kind, for 200 years. Arguments continue about plants against meat-based diets; however, new technologies will soon make these arguments irrelevant. Before long, most food will come neither from animals nor plants, but from micro-organisms (微生物).
Not only will food be cheaper, it will also be healthier. Due to the fact that farming creates food products built up from simple components rather than broken down from complex ones, hard fats and other unhealthy components can be screened out. Meat will still be meat, but it will be grown in factories rather than in the bodies of animals. Fats will still be fats, but food is likely to be better, cheaper and much less damaging to the living planet.
1. What is the major cause of sea ecological breakdown?A.Food production. | B.Global farming. |
C.Industrial fishing. | D.Climate breakdown. |
A.Its benefits. | B.Its security. | C.Its research. | D.Its limits. |
A.Sea animals. | B.Wild plants. | C.Micro-organisms. | D.Farm products. |
A.Doubtful. | B.Positive. | C.Disapproving. | D.Unclear. |
6 . Arden University
Arden University has physical study centres in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Berlin, Germany, and also offers high quality online bachelor and master degree programmes to British and international students all over the world. They have supported over 50,000 students while remaining true to their core values, ensuring higher education is available for all. Covering a range of professional subjects in 12 academic fields, Arden University makes UK education accessible and affordable through their creative study platform. Click here to view this school.
University of London International Programmes
We have over 60,000 students in every corner of the globe studying on more than 100 different programmes. Our global footprint and flexible study method has enabled students to study wherever they live. As a family of 19 world-class colleges and admired institutes, the University of London has an international reputation for academic distinction in teaching and research. Our students achieve exactly the same standard of internationally recognized qualification as those who attend the University itself. Click here to view this school.
University of York
The University of York is one of the top ten universities in the UK for teaching and research, and is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world. This well-established university consists of over 30 academic departments and research centres and a student body of 13,000, and was named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2010. Most of the distance learning courses are designed to meet professional development needs, and reflect the benefits of online learning in this context. Click here to view this school.
Lloyd’s Maritime Academy
Course options include popular and well-established diplomas in Marine (海洋) Surveying, Ship Management, and Maritime Law. Various accreditation levels are available from short, online based certificate courses to fully-accredited diploma and postgraduate diploma study options. We also offer our best course — the MBA in Shipping&. Logistics. The continued strength of these distance learning programmes have over 6,000 students enrolled on our courses. Click here to view this school.
1. Which holds the largest number of students?A.Arden University. | B.University of York. |
C.Lloyd's Maritime Academy. | D.University of London International Programmes. |
A.How to be a training teacher. | B.How to be a good programmer. |
C.How to be a professional in shipping industry. | D.How to be an excellent shipbuilder. |
A.They all offer online courses. | B.They are only accessible to the British. |
C.They are all top ten schools in the world. | D.They were all built in the early 20th century. |
7 . Snowy was a beautiful little horse. Since she was born she has wanted to be a show jumping horse. Every day she would
Snowy was very
“I did it!” she shouted happily. Soon Snowy developed good
Again, Snowy was
Over the past few weeks, something had
So never be afraid of
A.ask | B.warn | C.invite | D.advise |
A.sing | B.dance | C.jump | D.run |
A.old | B.fat | C.clever | D.careful |
A.embarrassed | B.bored | C.sad | D.excited |
A.deep | B.high | C.long | D.far |
A.wait | B.leave | C.stay | D.catch |
A.see | B.stop | C.start | D.arrive |
A.speed | B.power | C.wealth | D.courage |
A.managed | B.expected | C.agreed | D.happened |
A.habits | B.skills | C.senses | D.ideas |
A.Suddenly | B.Immediately | C.However | D.Besides |
A.although | B.unless | C.until | D.if |
A.Remember | B.Try | C.Carry | D.Study |
A.nervous | B.happy | C.sad | D.serious |
A.missed | B.liked | C.entered | D.needed |
A.appeared | B.changed | C.begun | D.continued |
A.dangerous | B.important | C.perfect | D.terrible |
A.pride | B.anger | C.patience | D.kindness |
A.early | B.young | C.small | D.smart |
A.failures | B.worries | C.uncertainties | D.difficulties |
8 . From the moment we wake up and check the messages on our smartphones, we’re exposed to text design. Throughout our day, storefronts and websites announce themselves, first and foremost, through the typefaces (字体) they use. For Adonian Chan, a 33-year-old graphic designer born in Hong Kong and co-founder of design company Trilingua, the different texts we encounter in our daily lives amount to what he calls a “visual landscape”.
In his hometown, signs written in traditional Chinese characters can be found around every corner. One calligraphy style, above all, has come to represent Hong Kong for Chan: Beiwei Kaishu, a dynamic way of writing that has its origins in 4th-century China. After World War I II, Beiwei Kaishu was used in Hong Kong signs, partly because it is highly legible, even from far distances. What sets Beiwei Kaishu apart from other Chinese writing styles is its unique construction, striking lines and unexpected angles, says Chan.
But with the appearance of computer-generated typefaces and LED signs, Chan says he observed that signs written in the style were disappearing from Hong Kong. As a consequence, few designers working today are aware of the Beiwei Kaishu style, he says.
In 2016,Chan asked Wong Gok Longa master of calligraphy in Hong Kong, to teach him to write in the Beiwei Kaishu style. Chan then started the process of digitizing the characters. He first wrote the characters on paper with a brush and ink, which gave him a sense of proportion. Next, he made a pencil sketch (素描). Finally, he recreated the characters digitally, using a computer program called Glyphs.
He has named his typeface Beiwei Zansyu and hopes it will eventually appear on phones and computers. “Chan’s effort is more than missing bygone eras — it's reinterpreting and continuing our heritage (遗产) ins more contemporary life,” says Keith Tam, head of communication design at the Hong Kong Design Institute.
1. What does the underlined word “legible” in paragraph 2 mean?A.Original. | B.Sensitive. |
C.Readable. | D.Variable. |
A.His talent for the writing style was spotted by a master. |
B.He received an invitation to design a traditional sign. |
C.His colleagues encouraged him to create a new style. |
D.He found the writing style declined in Hong Kong. |
A.Skeptical. | B.Approving. |
C.Ambiguous. | D.Uncaring. |
A.The art of digitizing ancient calligraphy |
B.The difficulty in practicing calligraphy |
C.Why should we observe tradition? |
D.How does text design influence our life? |
9 . Most young people are always on their phones, which may upset many people.
Each teen spent at least an hour of one-on-one time with their oldsters. Based on their
Some of the oldsters actually wanted to take part in e-commerce (电子商务), and needed help to
In addition to arranging group lessons for all of the seniors to
The eighth graders earned their “Silver Award,, for their job. After experiencing the
A.Otherwise | B.Therefore | C.However | D.Besides |
A.service | B.praise | C.invitation | D.donation |
A.keep | B.untie | C.share | D.unlock |
A.technological | B.medical | C.psychological | D.physical |
A.record | B.teach | C.recall | D.investigate |
A.get back | B.set up | C.check out | D.pay off |
A.patience | B.luck | C.fun | D.trouble |
A.write | B.phone | C.text | D.read |
A.sweet | B.simple | C.rare | D.common |
A.play | B.live | C.talk | D.review |
A.amazed | B.experienced | C.confused | D.respected |
A.success | B.arrangement | C.change | D.pressure |
A.performances | B.clinics | C.clubs | D.competitions |
A.organized | B.managed | C.visited | D.funded |
A.needed | B.refused | C.enjoyed | D.deserved |
10 . It’s time to put your two-wheeler to good use on these fun bike paths-each varying in distance and difficulty. Just choose one fit for you.
Paulinskill Valley Trail
Check out Paulinskill Valley Trail, filled with forests, wetlands, and small towns along this 25-mile route. While the trail is mostly flat, you can do a quick ride. You’re likely to catch sight of beautiful birds, considering more than 100 species find a home in the land near the path. Check out the trail in the fall—prime time for pretty sights.
Ala Hele Makalae
On the island of Kaui, you’ll find a bike path with lots of beachy views that’ll leave you feeling accomplished yet calm. The name translates to “The Path that Goes By Coast”, and, as you might guess, the seven-mile path hugs the shoreline. Start early enough and you’ll witness an incredible sunrise to make it even more amazing.
The Cheaha Route
This ride covers up to 126 miles, with steep climbs and extreme downhills along the way. So prepare for a thrilling ride—one that’s not necessarily for the inexperienced or those looking for an easy, casual ride. Along the route, you’ll pedal through five towns. The journey is worth it, though, because you get some of the most scenic views in the state.
The Whitefish Trail
Famous for its countless route options, whether you’re a new biker looking for smooth tracks or you have more experience and want to play around on rocky, more technical land, this bike path brings in lots of visitors. The 43-mile route offers beautiful green scenery. Around every corner, you’ll see a new amazing landscape, from glassy lakes to green mountains.
1. What do we know about Ala Hele Makalae?A.It covers the longest distance. |
B.It offers you a lot of beachy views. |
C.It makes you feel nervous but satisfied. |
D.It provides you with steep and dangerous climbs. |
A.Ala Hele Makalae. | B.The Cheaha Route. |
C.Paulinskill Valley Trail. | D.The Whitefish Trail. |
A.They have a wonderful landscape. | B.Different species can be found there. |
C.They’re fit for inexperienced bikers. | D.Various barriers are along the routes. |