1 . Some students get so nervous before a test. They do poorly even if they know the material. Sian Beilock, a professor at the University of Chicago in Illinois, has studied these highly anxious test-takers. The students start worrying about the results. And when they worry, it actually uses up attention and memory resources.
Professor Beilock and another researcher, Gerardo Ramirez have developed a possible solution. Just before an exam, highly anxious test-takers spend ten minutes writing about their worries about the test.
The researchers tested the idea on a group of twenty anxious college students. They gave them two short maths tests. After the first one, they asked the students to either sit quietly or write about their feelings about the upcoming second test.
Professor Beilock says those who sat quietly scored an average of 12% worse on the second test. But the students who had written about their fears improved their performance by an average of 5%. Next, the researchers employed younger students in a biology class. They told them before final exams either to write about their feelings or to think about things unrelated to the test. Professor Beilock says highly anxious students who did the writing got an average grade of B+, compared to a B-for those who did not.
“What we showed is that for students who are highly test-anxious, who’d done our writing intervention (干预), all of a sudden there was no relationship between test anxiety and performance. They were performing just as well as their classmates who don’t normally get nervous in these tests.”
But what if students do not have a chance to write about their fears immediately before an exam? Professor Beilock says students can try it themselves at home or in the library and still improve their performance.
1. What may the students start worrying about before an exam?| A．Whether they can pass the exams. | B．What other students do during the test. |
| C．Whether they have remembered the materials. | D．What kind of problems they will meet oa the test paper. |
| A．Asking the students to ignore the test | B．Asking the students to focus on the test. |
| C．Asking the students to sit quietly before the test. | D．Asking the students to write about their worries before the test. |
| A．The negative effect of test anxiety. | B．The solution to better school performance. |
| C．The benefit of feeling-telling before tests. | D．The way to get well prepared for tests. |
| A．Students should use all chances to improve their performance. |
| B．We can only write about our worries right before an exam. |
| C．The best place to write about our worries is in the test room. |
| D．It is beneficial wherever we write about our worries before an exam. |
2 . Technology is everywhere. Almost all of us carry some piece of technology with us every time. It’s true to say that technology makes our lives easier. However, scientists are saying that we need to give ourselves a break-otherwise we put ourselves at risk of developing hundreds of health problems. With all this free time, why not put it to good use and do something without technology?
To start with, you could learn a new skill. There are hundreds of possibilities: crafts(工艺), cooking, learning a musical instrument or a new sport. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn to cook for your family, but haven’t had time? Perhaps you feel like learning how to knit(编织), so you can have a new sweater for the autumn? You could use your free time to learn something new—and perhaps it will lead to an exciting chance in the future.
If you just want to relax, why not go to a beach? Take along your favorite book and relax on the sand, or go for a walk along the coastline. If you don’t live near a beach, you could go to your local park. Why not take along a picnic, or try and discover some of the local wildlife?
Little things, like challenging yourself to complete a crossword or a Sudoku, are a great place to start. You could even follow the latest fashion: adult coloring books! Coloring is amazing, and it can be a nice way to escape from the pressure of modern life!
Whatever you choose to do with your summer, try something new! You might surprise yourself and find a hidden talent within you; you might make new friends along the way. Next time you find yourself aimlessly switching channels, have a think at what else you could spend your time doing.
1. According to scientists, using technology continuously may ________.| A．make people live longer | B．solve many social problems |
| C．provide people with more free time | D．have a bad effect on people’s health |
| A．Learning something new. | B．Taking exciting chances. |
| C．Making a living by knitting. | D．Getting together with the family. |
| A．It’s a great tourist attraction. | B．It’s a challenging game. |
| C．It’s a new fashion show. | D．It’s a book about coloring. |
| A．Make More New Friends | B．Follow the Latest Fashion |
| C．Make Plans for Summer Holidays | D．Take a Break from Technology |
3 . An augmented-reality (增强现实的) helmet that gives cyclists a 360-degree view of the road could help prevent accidents.
Unlike cars, bicycles don't come with rear view mirrors (后视镜), which is why British product design firm DCA created the Optic helmet. The helmet has front and rear cameras and a drop-down visor (面罩) that can display road conditions in real-time from the rear camera onto a rider's field of view. The visor can show warnings. If a vehicle is overtaking (超过) the rider, it can warn the rider by combining data from the cameras on the front and back of the helmet. In addition, the Optic helmet can provide GPS navigation information for riders who want to track their performance. The design is now just a concept, but it won the “Best of the Best” Red Dot Design Award recently.
Richard Price, a designer at DCA and the brains behind the project, said the helmet is aimed at reducing cycling accidents. Because the helmet is just a concept design, some of the details have yet to be decided, such as the exact method for projecting video onto the visor. However, Price said Google Glass has already shown that this is practical. The Optic helmet will be able to connect to a smartphone via Bluetooth to allow maps and routing information to be updated, but actual navigation will be carried out by the helmet using its onboard (自身携带的) GPS unit. It can be controlled either by a touchpad next to the visor or by using gestures picked up by the front camera.
“Users can order what is shown in the visor to suit their needs and to make sure the display doesn't distract them.” Price said. Since the designs were made public, Price said the design firm has received plenty of positive feedback from cyclists and cycling companies. But actually, putting the device into production will require lots of money, so it is unclear when or if the helmet will be available to consumers.
1. Which is NOT right about the Optic helmet?| A．It has been put into mass production. |
| B．It can provide GPS navigation information. |
| C．It can give cyclists a 360-degree view of the road. |
| D．It has front and rear cameras to provide road information. |
| A．Richard Price designed the Optic helmet. |
| B．Google offered help in designing the helmet. |
| C．The Optic helmet is mainly made of steel. |
| D．Consumers can order the new helmet online now. |
| A．To win the Red Dot Design Award. |
| B．To make a large amount of profit. |
| C．To help reduce cycling accidents. |
| D．To give cyclists a cool experience. |
| A．Critical. | B．Doubtful. |
| C．Negative. | D．Positive. |
4 . Before I lived in Pakistan, I was always with my grandfather. We were never
However, on the morning of June 20, 2009, when I was 5, I went to
My parents had to call a psychologist (心理医生). Sonia was very kind, showing deep
Dealing with a death of a family member is
| A．apart | B．alike | C．aside | D．around |
| A．upset | B．occupied | C．happy | D．impatient |
| A．mind | B．mood | C．spirit | D．condition |
| A．wake up | B．pick up | C．take up | D．put up |
| A．silent | B．hesitant | C．innocent | D．confident |
| A．sad | B．annoyed | C．mad | D．nervous |
| A．trapped | B．fenced | C．locked | D．caged |
| A．motivation | B．sympathy | C．regret | D．warmth |
| A．quit | B．risk | C．advocate | D．postpone |
| A．ambition | B．liberty | C．attitude | D．progress |
| A．loneliness | B．suffering | C．memories | D．hatred |
| A．embarrassed | B．complicated | C．inspired | D．puzzled |
| A．brought about | B．made out | C．held back | D．let off |
| A．blank | B．main | C．major | D．minor |
| A．love | B．ability | C．fortune | D．experience |
5 . Top Music Festivals in 2021
Coachella
Selling out fast every year, the Indio desert becomes a fashionable place where the coolest bands are watched by trendy people and celebrities. Near the top of everyone's bucket list of festivals, Coachella is a constant source of annual expectation and a hotbed for musical discussion.
When &. where: April 9-11 &. 16-18, 2021; Indio
Ultra Music Festival
Seen as the ultimate gathering for electronic music fans across the nation and globe, the streets of Miami turn into a bold and bumping party with popular DJs playing what will be the sounds of summer.
When & where: March 26-28, 2021; Miami
South By South West
Regarded as the ultimate trend-setter and launcher of careers, SXSW is an annual showcase of music, films and interactive highlights enjoyed through performances, showcases, talks, screenings and more. Virtually taking over the city of Austin, everyone in the world of music from fans to media flock here to discover the next big thing.
When &, where: March 16-20, 2021; Austin
The Governors Ball Music Festival
Another event which proves the music loving potential of Randall's Island Park is Governors Ball, an exciting and infectious mix of rock, hip-hop, electronic, pop and folk. Providing a variety of music and food tastes, whether you look to kick back and relax or dance to the beats, Governors Ball has what you want.
When & where: June 11-14, 2021; New York
1. Which music festival lasts the most days?| A．Coachella | B．Ultra Music Festival. |
| C．South By South West | D．The Governors Ball Music Festival. |
| A．It's held in a park. |
| B．It features electronic music |
| C．It's a gathering of popular DJs. |
| D．It's the most popular in the country. |
| A．Indio. | B．Miami. | C．Austin | D．New York. |
6 . Most people get rid of their leftover foods, but in Nigerian-born visual artist Haneefah Adam’s kitchen, they’re put to good use.
Adam, 28, is famous for
Now, she's building a career out of changing food into art. “I do
Adam is inspired by
In 2016, she
Her winning entry was
Winning the competition kick-started Adam’s
| A．distributing | B．mixing | C．presenting | D．selling |
| A．always | B．hardly | C．never | D．usually |
| A．dilemma | B．reputation | C．standard | D．talent |
| A．alternative | B．regular | C．compulsory | D．specific |
| A．excites | B．puzzles | C．rejects | D．presses |
| A．artificial | B．modest | C．random | D．visual |
| A．collects | B．devotes | C．inspects | D．sees |
| A．competed | B．held | C．won | D．performed |
| A．sponsored | B．donated | C．expanded | D．possessed |
| A．background | B．competition | C．discovery | D．victory |
| A．avoiding | B．exploring | C．protecting | D．sorting |
| A．meals | B．goods | C．styles | D．works |
| A．finished | B．inspired | C．submitted | D．selected |
| A．attached to | B．occupied with | C．made from | D．linked to |
| A．selling | B．preserving | C．exporting | D．recording |
| A．actively | B．frequently | C．mildly | D．roughly |
| A．view | B．space | C．reward | D．career |
| A．learning | B．creating | C．advertising | D．developing |
| A．give | B．bring | C．result | D．participate |
| A．profit | B．promise | C．difference | D．decision |
7 . When Simon Cane was in the second grade, he began learning about all the ways humans have an impact on the environment and really took those classroom lessons to heart in a way that set him apart from his schoolmates at his elementary school, P. S. 81, in the Bronx. “He told me we drove too much and made too much pollution,” his dad, Jonathan Cane, told Runner’s World. So Simon convinced his parents to start hanging their clothes to dry, taking the stairs instead of elevators, and other “green” measures.
“For much of kindergarten and first grade I rode my bike to Simon’s school with him on the back,” Jonathan said. “We had a lot of fun being outdoors. We’d stop to give our dog treats and generally enjoyed it.” As Simon got bigger, though, it wasn’t practical for him to ride on his father’s back, but it also didn’t make sense to ride together — both because of safety concerns and because there was no place to put away Simon’s bike. So, most of the time they drove the 1. 5 miles to school.
But in 2019, when Simon was going into third grade, the 8-year-old came up with a new way to help the planet: running the 1. 5 miles to P. S. 81. And Jonathan promised his son he’d join him for as long as he wanted.
“We did a test run one day in August, and decided to give it a go. To be honest, I thought he’d blink (眨眼)after it got really cold or rainy, but he never did,” Jonathan said. He recalled one day when the weather was particularly bad. “It’s really raining out there today,” he told Simon. “And Simon said, ‘Well then we’re going to get wet!’ He took pride in toughing it out, and it became a really fun family routine.”
Since the start, Simon has run with his dad and their black dog, Lola, and has even inspired his mom, Nicole Sin Quee, to join in. They soon became known as “the family that runs to school”.
1. What makes Simon different from his classmates?| A．Washing his clothes by himself. | B．Taking many classes after school. |
| C．Raising strange questions in class. | D．Taking green measures to protect the environment. |
| A．By car. | B．By cycling. | C．By running. | D．By school bus. |
| A．Simon has trouble with his eyesight. | B．Simon is really stubborn and inflexible. |
| C．Simon is much tougher than expected. | D．Simon didn’t get support from his father. |
| A．The Best Way to Go to School |
| B．Father and Son Run for the Environment |
| C．A Teenager Keeps Running to Inspire Father |
| D．Three Inspiring Running Athletes to Protect the Environment |
8 . Jose Alberto Gutierrez’s life would never be the same again after finding a copy of Anna Karenina in the trash (垃圾) 20 years ago. It happened while he was driving his garbage truck through wealthier neighbourhoods and seeing books abandoned by the rich. It ignited his desire to start rescuing books from the trash. Eventually, he turned his book collection into a community library.
In Colombia’s capital city of Bogota, libraries tend to be far away from poorer communities. The option of buying new books is non-existent for poor families and having access to a library of books is a luxury. Gutierrez grew up poor, and his family could not afford to educate him beyond primary school. Nevertheless, his mother was a passionate reader and read stories to him every night. Her love for books left a deep impression on Gutierrez, who never let a lack of formal education stop him.
Today, his community library, “The Strength of Words”, occupies most of his home and is piled from floor to ceiling with fiction and non-fiction titles. Everything from school textbooks to storybooks can be found in his collection of over 20,000 books!
The Strength of Words library is open every weekend, and children in Gutierrez’s neighbourhood are allowed to look through the book collection. Adults are also welcome to expand their vision and develop new skills for a better life.
Today, the Gutierrez family doesn’t merely want to start libraries in neighbourhoods. They want to create more safe spaces for school children to spend their time reading. This is important for kids living in Bogota where many young people waste time in the streets.
Gutierrez’s journey to give treasure back to his local community is an amazing example of how every one of us can improve the lives of those around us by identifying needs, investing time and finding a simple solution. How might we take a leaf out of Gutierrez’s book?
1. What does the underlined word “ignited” mean in paragraph 1?| A．Satisfied. | B．Ignored. | C．Excited. | D．Expressed. |
| A．It aims to recycle and reuse the garbage. |
| B．It is sponsored by wealthier communities. |
| C．It is in the charge of his passionate mother. |
| D．It makes knowledge accessible to poor kids. |
| A．We should value Gutierrez’s spirit of paying back. |
| B．We can follow Gutierrez’s example to help others. |
| C．We should go to visit Gutierrez’s library personally. |
| D．We can donate deserted books to Gutierrez’s library. |
| A．From Trash to Treasure | B．The Books of Gutierrez |
| C．From Home to Community | D．The Strength of Reading |
9 . When it comes to becoming eco-conscious, many people choose to start with something simple: recycling. But it’s not as simple as everyone seems to believe.
Indeed, the desire for some people to recycle can lead to ill-informed decisions about what can and cannot be recycled, and non-recyclable objects are accidentally put into the recycling bin. The practice is what is known as wishcycling.
Wishcycling boils down to the idea that just about anything can be recycled, and that if you put it into a recycling bin, those who are responsible for it will find a way to recycle it. This is obviously not true, because, despite everything that you’ve been told by the media, not everything is recyclable.
Small non-recyclable objects that are attached to recyclables are generally acceptable. For example, glue and tape attached to paper will be removed in the recycling process without any trouble. But improperly recycling broken eyeglasses, plastic shopping bags, food waste and greasy(油渍)pizza boxes could cause problems to the recycling process.
The objects in the recycling bin are typically sorted by machines at recycling centers, not people. These complex machines are designed to separate plastics, paper, and other recyclables. If something is thrown into the bin that shouldn’t be there, it could end up damaging the machine, which means the recycling center could lose time and money every time people decide to wishcycle. Sometimes, a non-recyclable object is able to sneak(溜)past these sorting machines. If this happens, the non-recyclable object ends up in a load of recyclables that will be sold for the recycling center to make a profit. However, having just one non-recyclable thing mixed in can pollute the entire load of recyclables, which has to be thrown away.
So what you as a consumer need to do is make your own recycling practice most functional. The best way is to educate yourself. There are certain general rules when it comes to recycling that everyone should know.
1. What do we know about wishcycling?| A．It is misled by the media. | B．it leads to a better ecology. |
| C．It is related to ill intentions. | D．It comes from people's hope. |
| A．Paper with glue on it. | B．Oily pizza boxes. |
| C．Plastic shopping bags. | D．Left-over food. |
| A．The problems from wishcycling. | B．The need to update the machines. |
| C．The reasons for making less profit. | D．The objects unsuitable for recycling. |
| A．Reducing waste. | B．Making rules. |
| C．Recycling properly. | D．Consuming wisely. |
10 . Kumar is ten years old and works with his father in New Delhi. Every morning, while carrying plastic bags on his shoulders, he runs into children walking to school, ashamed at not being in a school uniform like them. Kumar is one of India’s five million school dropouts. These are the children of villagers who moved to New Delhi but end up living in slums (贫民窟). Many of them, like Kumar’s father, can’t afford to send their children to school. Others are not able to provide birth certificates for their children, which are necessary for school admission.
However, two yellow buses -equipped as mobile schools with teaching materials such as books, whiteboard, pens and toys are helping them. They are part of the government’s project which started in 2003. The books and school bags are free. Every morning, the yellow bus mobile schools arrive near selected slums. “If the children can’t go to school, we have to take the school to them, to their doorstep,” said Sharma, a mobile school teacher. Sharma said that at first parents hesitated to send their children to the mobile school because they were afraid that their children would be cheated. It took the teachers a long time to build their confidence.
Financed by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) in India, the mobile schools project has helped reduce the number of dropouts from 25 million to 5 million. The children are proud because the mobile school comes specially for them. It has changed their lives and given them hope. After joining the bus school, eleven -year -old Meena is very happy with her new life. Although she is young, she understands that education is the key to escaping the poverty. So impressed by her progress, other mothers were convinced to let their daughters attend the mobile school.
The mobile school teachers provide children with primary education to get them up to the level and then they go on with their studies in public schools.
1. What stops Kumar from going to school in New Delhi?| A．His father has been uneducated. | B．His family has no enough money. |
| C．He has no birth certificate of his. | D．He has no interest in learning. |
| A．Untrustworthy. | B．Tolerant. | C．Impressed. | D．Proud. |
| A．They’ve cost India a lot. | B．They’ve come to an end. |
| C．They have been fruitful. | D．They are inconvenient. |
| A．Kindergarten. | B．Senior high school. |
| C．Junior high school. | D．Primary school. |
