1 . Foreign visitors to the UK might be disappointed when they learn that not everyone there speaks like Harry Potter and his friends. Usually, there’s an assumption by many non-Brits that everyone in Britain speaks with what’s known as a Received Pronunciation (RP,标准发音) accent, also called “the Queen’s English”. However, while many people do talk this way, most Britons speak in their own regional accents (口音).
Scouse, Glaswegian and Black Country — from Liverpool, Glasgow and the West Midlands — are just three of the countless non-RP accents that British people speak with. There are even differences in accents between towns or cities just 30 kilometers apart. What is even more disappointing is that not speaking in a RP accent may mean a British person is judged and even treated differently in their everyday life.
In a 2015 study by The University of South Wales, videos of people reading a passage in three different UK accents were shown to a second group of people. The group then rated how intelligent they thought the readers sounded. The lowestrated accent was Brummie, native to people from Birmingham, a city whose accent is considered working class.
However, there is no need to be disappointed though you are not speaking in a RP accent. In fact, doing the opposite may even give you strength.
Kong Seongjae, 25, is an Internet celebrity from Seoul. After studying in the UK, he picked up several regional accents. He’s now famous for his online videos, where he shows off the various accents he’s learned. “British people usually get really excited when I use some of their local dialect words, and they become much friendlier. I think it makes a bit of bond between local people and foreigners to speak in their local accent,” he said.
So if you’re working on perfecting your British accent, try to speak like someone from Liverpool, Glasgow or Birmingham. You may not sound like Harry Potter, but you are likely to make more friends.
1. What can we infer from Paragraph 1?A.Non-Brits usually hold that all Britons speak in a RP accent. |
B.Only “the Queen’s English” is accepted in the UK. |
C.Foreign visitors are disappointed at their on spoken English. |
D.Any Received Pronunciation around the world is also called “the Queen’s English”. |
A.Favored by foreign visitors to the UK. | B.Closest to the RP accent. |
C.Smart and easy to understand. | D.Spoken by people of lower class. |
A.Speaking in a RP accent. | B.Speaking in regional accents. |
C.Speaking the Brummie accent. | D.Speaking like Harry Potter. |
A.A study about the most intelligent accent in Britain. |
B.A comparison between different British accents. |
C.How much British people value the RP accent. |
D.The influence of regional accents on people’s lives. |
2 . Afroz Shah, a lawyer in Mumbai, hasn’t had a weekend off in four years. But he hasn’t spent this time preparing for
His mission? Saving the world’s oceans from
It’s a calling he found in 2015 after moving to a community in Mumbai called Versova Beach. He had played there as a child and was
“The whole beach was like a
In October 2015, Shah began
For Shah, the work has always been a
He’s now spent 209 weekends on this mission,
“This world talks too much. I think we must talk
A.teaching | B.court | C.housework | D.cleaning |
A.river | B.soil | C.plastic | D.oil |
A.upset | B.excited | C.delighted | D.hesitant |
A.grown | B.changed | C.reserved | D.protected |
A.pure | B.golden | C.shiny | D.visible |
A.carpet | B.curtain | C.painting | D.photograph |
A.temporary | B.permanent | C.ugly | D.pretty |
A.sticks to | B.keeps off | C.gives back | D.ends up |
A.killer | B.cleaner | C.guest | D.decoration |
A.sweeping | B.attacking | C.visiting | D.beautifying |
A.pulling | B.thinking | C.picking | D.looking |
A.came | B.failed | C.went | D.spread |
A.involved | B.lived | C.stuck | D.paid |
A.easy | B.tough | C.personal | D.general |
A.known | B.regarded | C.decided | D.honored |
A.cause | B.case | C.position | D.fame |
A.requiring | B.rejecting | C.inviting | D.inspiring |
A.originally | B.finally | C.politically | D.theoretically |
A.fewer | B.less | C.better | D.worse |
A.honor | B.beauty | C.hope | D.love |
3 . The other day, my sister and I were sitting in a restaurant, trying to have a conversation, but her children, four-year-old Willow and seven-year-old Luca, would not stop fighting. The arguments—over a fork, or who had more water in a glass—never stopped.
Then my sister reached into her handbag, produced two shiny iPads, and handed one to each child. Suddenly, the two were quiet. They sat playing games and watching videos, and we continued with our conversation.
After our meal, as my sister stuffed the iPads back into her bag, she said, “I don’t want to give them the iPads at the dinner table, but if they keep them occupied for an hour so we can eat in peace, I often just hand them over. I’m afraid it’s bad for them. I do worry that it makes them think it’s OK to use electronics at the dinner table in the future.”
Dr. Gary Small, director of the Longevity Center at the University of California, Los Angeles says that the brain is highly sensitive to stimuli (刺激物), like iPads and smartphone screens, and if people spend too much time on one technology, and less time interacting (互动) with people like parents at the dinner table, that could prevent the development of certain communication skills.
“Conversations with each other are the way children learn to have conversations with themselves, and learn how to be alone,” said Sherry Turkle, a professor of science, technology and society at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She fears that children who do not learn real interactions, which often have imperfections, will come to know a world where perfect, shiny screens give them a false sense of intimacy (亲密) without risk. However, they need to be able to gather themselves and know who they are. So someday they can form a relationship with another person without a panic of being alone. “If you don’t teach your children to be alone, they’ll only know how to be lonely,” she said.
1. What did Willow and Luca fight about?A.iPads. | B.Little things. | C.Delicious food. | D.Interesting things. |
A.She was critical of it. | B.She felt it was worth a try. |
C.She was uncertain about it. | D.She felt surprised at its effect. |
A.Provide their children with various technologies. | B.Teach their children communication skills. |
C.Talk to their children at the dinner table. | D.Limit their children’s screen time. |
A.Children are afraid of taking risks. | B.Children try to escape from the real world. |
C.Children can’t live without electronic devices. | D.Children can’t deal with companion—less situations. |
A.To tell a true story. | B.To discuss a phenomenon. |
C.To give practical suggestions. | D.To compare different opinions. |
4 . Steven Stein likes to track garbage trucks. He says, “It’s hard to resist.” Stein’s strange habit makes sense when you consider that he’s an environmental scientist who studies how to reduce litter, including stuff that falls off garbage trucks as they run down the road. What is even more interesting is that one of Stein’s current plans is defending an industry behind a source of trash: plastic shopping bags.
Americans use more than 100 million plastic bags every year. So many end up in tree branches or along highways that a growing number of cities are banishing (排除) them from checkout lines. The bags are outlawed in some places in the USA.
Facing these situations, plastic-bag manufacturers are hiring scientists like Stein to make the case that their products are not as bad for the planet as most people assume. “It’s important to base your decisions on facts,” says Stan Bikulege, CEO of Hilex Poly, which has hired Stein.
Among the bag makers’ argument: many cities with bans still allow shoppers to purchase paper bags, which are easily recycled but require more energy to produce and transport. And while plastic bags may be ugly to look at, they represent a small percentage of all garbage on the ground today.
The industry has also taken aim at the product that can take the place of plastic bags: reusable shopping bags. The sturdier a reusable bag is, the longer its life and the more plastic-bag use it cancels out. But this plan has another side. Longer-lasting reusable bags often require more energy to make.
Environmentalists don’t agree with these points. They hope paper bags will be banned someday too and want shoppers to use the same reusable bags for years. So are reusables our destiny? The answer is probably yes. And Andy Keller, inventor of reusable polyester (聚酯纤维) bags, says, ”If you can carry it out in your hands or put it back in your car, you don’t need a bag.”
1. The first paragraph serves as___________.A.an explanation | B.an introduction | C.a comment | D.a background |
A.To collect facts about shopping bags. |
B.To show plastic bags are eco-friendly. |
C.To research on people’s consuming habits. |
D.To prove plastic bags are better than people thought. |
A.They look a bit ugly. | B.They are easy to break. |
C.Their prices are comparatively high. | D.Their production is energy-consuming. |
A.Stronger. | B.Lighter. | C.Heavier. | D.Softer. |
A.Forget about plastic bags. | B.Paper bags are coming. |
C.Paper, plastic or neither. | D.A strange scientist. |
5 . My name is Audrey. I’m a student at Ridge Avenue High in the graduating class of 2016. Yesterday, March 250, 2016, marked a momentous milestone in my life: I was accepted into Stanford University at 3:01 PM!
Gosh, looking back on my high school career, I accomplished a lot. Not only did I always get excellent grades, I was also captain of my school’s tennis team for two years, president of the debate league, and a National Honor Society Member. Now that I’ve gotten into college, however, my life seems almost well... pointless.
For years, getting into Stanford was my only goal. So what if I lost my friends and even my own personality to pursue this dream? I remember for instance, when I worked on a group project with my classmate Hannah. Like usual, I finished my part of the assignment but Hannah, being the incompetent student that she was, struggled to understand our research topic. Although Hannah eventually finished, I sent the teacher an email informing her of Hannah’s difficulty. Sure, some people suggested I help her out, but how could I sacrifice my grade?
On my college application, I tried my best to paint myself as a typical Stanford student. I described myself as an enthusiastic engineer, because what’s better than a girl who loves engineering? In fact, engineering was my mother’s idea; to be honest, I hate engineering. I dislike writing and reading as well. I hate studying history and I cannot stand mathematics. What do I even like? Clearly, my likes and dislikes have always been based on what Stanford admired in student but no matter, I’m going to the school of my dreams, right?
For now, my future is vague. To others, I may seem extremely excited, but inwardly. I am conflicted. In a sense, I regret what I did in high school. Instead of haggling (讨价还价) for points with my teachers, reprimanding (斥责) others for costing me some points on assignments, I should have explored my talents and interests.
Whatever, I still got into Stanford.
1. What do we know about the author according to Paragraph 2?A.She performed well in school. | B.She still has many dreams now. |
C.She has many outstanding gifts. | D.She is looking forward to college fife. |
A.She is pretty confused. | B.She is in great excitement. |
C.She is confident of success. | D.She is nervous of future life. |
A.She learned a lot from Hannah. | B.She once gave Hannah a helping hand. |
C.She sacrificed a lot because of Hannah. | D.She complained about Hannah’s performance. |
A.Pretend. | B.Claim. | C.Picture. | D.Regard. |
A.she was eager to be admitted into Stanford University |
B.she finally majored in engineering totally out of her own will |
C.she has a definite direction of her future |
D.she was content with what she did in high school |
A.try to get good grades | B.make some good friends |
C.focus on their own interests | D.apply to Stanford University |
6 . Contrary to advertisements seen on television, read in magazines, or heard on the radio, spending a lot of money on a gift for a friend or loved one is totally unnecessary. Many people collect photos or mementos (纪念品) from special events, trips, or celebrations throughout their lives, throwing them in a drawer or cardboard box somewhere, intending to sort them out later. It seems, though that “later” never comes. So, the next time you’re ready to buy a silk scarf or pair of leather gloves for that special someone, consider sorting through that junk drawer filled with mementos and special photos.
For example, you can decorate an inexpensive picture frame with colorful buttons for your mother who is interested in sewing, or use tiny machine parts for your workshop-crazed brother. Inserting a special photo of you and that certain someone will create a gift that will be treasured forever. Shadow boxes are a wonderful way to display several objects from a single special event, such as a wedding. Take the original wedding invitation, a dried flower from the table centerpiece, or anything else that you can gather from the wedding, and display them in the box.
When you have many photos and mementos, make a photo album or scrapbook (剪贴簿) for a friend or family member. Today, the options for decorating your book are nearly endless. Entering a scrapbooking store can make your head spin. If this happens to you on your first scrapbooking visit, consider taking an introductory class, which many stores offer. Of course, you will have a much better idea of which scrapbook supplies to buy when the class ends.
Pictures or books that can be enjoyed over and over again are one-of-a-kind, original gifts. There is nothing like receiving a gift that comes straight from the heart. Such gifts help people recall happy times and strengthen the bond between the giver and the receiver.
1. What is the author’s attitude to gift advertisements?A.Tolerant. | B.Doubtful. | C.Uncaring. | D.Disapproving. |
A.spend time collecting photos | B.overlook their photos or mementos |
C.miss special events, trips or celebrations | D.forget to clean their drawer or cardboard box |
A.are more expensive than picture frames | B.are usually made of cheap materials |
C.can be used to show mementos | D.can be a precious wedding gift |
A.take beautiful pictures | B.decorate your scrapbook |
C.start a scrapbooking store | D.write a book on scrapbooking |
A.A gift from the heart | B.A special photo album |
C.The first scrapbooking visit | D.The treasured shadow boxes |
7 . What are scientists?They are often described as gray-haired white-coated dull scholars.
But the world has changed.Young scientists are making their voices heard and releasing their powers on the world stage.
This is also true in China.Rising stars include new materials expert Gong Yongji,university professor Liu Mingzhen,and biologist Wan Ruixue.At the age of 28 in 2018,Wan Ruixue received the 2018 Science & SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists.This is a global prize to reward outstanding scientists at an early stage of their careers.
She focuses mainly on biomedicine (生物医学) and artificial intelligence.“Both are cutting-edge (前沿) technologies at an early stage of development,” she said.
“So,I think they have great potential to be developed.I think in the study of cutting-edge technologies,China and other leading countries in the world are standing on the same starting line.And in the study of structural biology,China is likely to become the leader.”
She felt it was her fate to become a biologist.“I grew interested in the natural world,when I was very young,” she said.In 2009,she entered Sun Yat-sen University.
In her third year at the university,she realized that she wanted to do something related to biomedicine.So she emailed China’s top biologist Shi Yigong,hoping to join his lab at Tsinghua University.
Shi recognised her talent and welcomed her.Years of efforts at the lab have paid off.Her research on the high-definition 3D structure of spliceosome led to a scientific breakthrough.
Unlike many of other young scientists who choose to pursue further study abroad,Wan currently has no plan to go overseas.
“The whole ecosystem for scientific research is continually improving in China,” she said,adding that the country has great science facilities.
1. What does the underlined word “releasing” in paragraph 2 mean?A.Giving out. | B.Getting over. |
C.Finding out. | D.Taking over. |
A.Anxious. | B.Confident. |
C.Disappointed. | D.Satisfied. |
A.Her teacher led her into the field. |
B.She finds it’s easier than she thought. |
C.Her contribution has been recognised. |
D.She thinks it’s boring but worth trying. |
A.China’s Breakthrough in Science |
B.Rising Young Scientists in China |
C.Wan Ruixue:A Successful Young Scientist |
D.New Image of Chinese Scientists |
8 . It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80s came to the hospital. I heard him saying to the nurse that he was in a hurry for all appointment(约会)at 9:30. The nurse had him take a
Now I
A.breath | B.test | C.seat | D.break |
A.persuading | B.promising | C.understanding | D.telling |
A.if | B.before | C.since | D.after |
A.taking off | B.fixing | C.looking at | D.winding |
A.very | B.also | C.seldom | D.not |
A.turn up | B.show off | C.come on | D.go away |
A.needed | B.forgot | C.agreed | D.happened |
A.daughter | B.wife | C.mother | D.sister |
A.late | B.well | C.around | D.there |
A.lonely | B.worried | C.doubtful | D.hungry |
A.so far | B.neither | C.no longer | D.already |
A.recognize | B.answer | C.believe | D.expect |
A.moved | B.disappointed | C.surprised | D.satisfied |
A.only | B.then | C.thus | D.still |
A.curiosity | B.tears | C.words | D.judgment |
A.realize | B.suggest | C.hope | D.prove |
A.agreement | B.expression | C.acceptance | D.exhibition |
A.necessarily | B.completely | C.naturally | D.frequently |
A.learn | B.make | C.favor | D.try |
A.Adventure | B.Beauty | C.Trust | D.Life |
9 . Steve was a seventh grader, a big boy, looking more like a teenager than a 12-year-old. Yet, he went unnoticed — he had been
In the middle of the first semester of school, the entire seventh grade was
“You all did pretty well,” Miss Wilma told the class after going over the
After that, Steve still wouldn’t do his homework. Even if Miss Wilma
“Steve, please! I care about you!”
One Monday a couple of weeks later, Miss Wilma gave a
Miss Wilma’s face was in
From that moment, nothing was the same for Steve. He discovered that not only could he remember and understand
A.missing | B.failing | C.passing | D.skipping |
A.tested | B.classified | C.separated | D.dismissed |
A.questions | B.effects | C.lessons | D.results |
A.fills | B.presses | C.breaks | D.destroys |
A.shouted | B.hesitated | C.interrupted | D.laughed |
A.dropped | B.raised | C.covered | D.closed |
A.strangely | B.steadily | C.severely | D.secretly |
A.helpless | B.stubborn | C.flexible | D.crazy |
A.Commonly | B.Unwillingly | C.Particularly | D.Suddenly |
A.quiz | B.chance | C.speech | D.presentation |
A.slept | B.looked | C.lived | D.hurried |
A.disappointment | B.surprise | C.satisfaction | D.inspiration |
A.better | B.total | C.precious | D.ridiculous |
A.down | B.away | C.out | D.back |
A.homework | B.grades | C.knowledge | D.subjects |
A.outstanding | B.lazy | C.rough | D.troublesome |
A.tiring | B.ordinary | C.hardworking | D.successful |
A.relied on | B.looked after | C.believed in | D.turned to |
A.competition | B.choice | C.change | D.campaign |
A.waited | B.listened | C.wished | D.cared |
10 . After I entered high school, I attended advanced classes and I had a teacher who made me think I was stupid.
In my freshman year, I had trouble writing essays for that teacher. She was strict. She made fun of me, sometimes in front of the class. It didn’t help that my friend was a genius (天才) who would text me the night before our essay was due (到期) and ask, “ What is the essay about again?” She would receive a 97 and I would receive an 80 even though I had revised (修正) and edited that piece for two weeks. Once I got a 97 on a project that took me two and a half weeks to complete, and I was asked how much help my mom had given to me. In the second grade, I had trouble with my essay writing once again. Besides, I had problems in Maths even though I understood the concepts.
Now I am in a new school and taking many subjects and I am doing well. Actually in the beginning, I was nervous. I thought I would fail all of my classes because my previous teachers had failed me and made me ashamed to try. I thought I was just going to get another 80 on an essay. It is hard indeed. They are fast-paced courses and it isn’t easy to keep up with all the readings and when my next lab will be. But with so much adjustment (调整) to the stress, I have become confident. Now I know how much time I need to perfect that essay, and when to set aside time to meet with my tutor (老师) before my next biology exam.
I am writing this blog to the kids that have gotten lost in the mix---any adjusting freshmen, any lost kids in advanced classes, and the hidden genius in everyone. I went through two years in high school, thinking I was a little slower than the other kids in advanced classes. But in this new environment, with the experience I have received and my new-found confidence, I can say, “I’m Anne Hilker and I am smart!” We are all smart.
1. What did the author want to show by mentioning her friend?A.She faced a lot of competition. |
B.Her friend was a great help to her. |
C.Her friend made her feel even worse. |
D.Her teachers loved students like her friend. |
A.She felt very happy for the author. |
B.She praised the author in front of the class. |
C.She wasn’t pleased with the author’s mother. |
D.She didn’t believe it was finished by the author alone. |
A.Hard work doesn’t pay off. |
B.She isn’t as stupid as she feared. |
C.Fast-paced courses don’t benefit her. |
D.Advanced classes aren’t suitable for her. |
A.To show students should study very hard. |
B.To tell teachers to believe in their students. |
C.To show teachers should be kind to their students. |
D.To tell students to learn to face stress and have confidence. |
A.Inspired | B.Disappointed | C.Moved | D.Anxious |