1 . In my work as a teacher in a vocational school over here in Germany, some of my classes are filled with students of different nationalities. More often than not, I will have a few students in the class whose
In the past, I took them aside and gave them
During the last few weeks, I
I do not get any
Good integration is so
A.fear | B.sight | C.command | D.memory |
A.injured | B.relaxed | C.frightened | D.lived |
A.check on | B.carry out | C.star in | D.pick over |
A.turn | B.accept | C.give | D.attain |
A.tips | B.scores | C.facts | D.arguments |
A.barriers | B.skills | C.teachings | D.policies |
A.drive | B.appoint | C.surf | D.integrate |
A.put | B.laid | C.took | D.set |
A.improve | B.consider | C.accept | D.escape |
A.intervening | B.attending | C.distracting | D.alleviating |
A.still | B.otherwise | C.even | D.yet |
A.accurate | B.desperate | C.eventual | D.valuable |
A.freedom | B.gesture | C.bond | D.energy |
A.extra | B.average | C.satisfying | D.appealing |
A.demonstrated | B.dominated | C.followed | D.sacrificed |
A.youngsters | B.ambassadors | C.narrators | D.servants |
A.excited | B.definite | C.likely | D.undoubted |
A.incredible | B.important | C.funny | D.intelligent |
A.share | B.enrich | C.gain | D.estimate |
A.ruin | B.quit | C.spread | D.overcome |
2 . Maples are known for their autumn colors. Many species put on a display of oranges, browns, yellows, and reds every year. Here are four excellent species of maple for your landscape.
Bigleaf mapleNative Area: North America
Height: 50 to 100 feet
As the name suggests, the leaves are quite large on this tree. It has the biggest leaves of any maple; the classic palm-shape leaves can be over 12 inches wide. This large tree is an excellent shade tree for large landscapes and parks.
Hedge mapleNative Area: Europe and Asia
Height: 25 to 35 feet
The hedge maple is a great choice for the urban garden, as it does well in many severe environments: drought, salty soils, shady locations, and climates where there is ozone deficiency. It can also be used as a street tree if the power lines are high enough.
Norway mapleNative Area: Europe and Asia
Height: usually 40 to 50 feet
Known either as Norway maple or European maple, this popular species was brought to North America from Europe in the 18th century. It has since become one of the most common trees. In the right settings, this species may become invasive (侵入的), so before planting it, check to make sure it is not a problem in your region.
Hornbeam mapleNative Area: Japan
Height: 15 to 30 feet
Many species of plant within a genus have a similar appearance, but there can be surprises, as is the case with the hornbeam maple. Its leaves are nothing like what you expect from a maple. This can be a somewhat difficult plant to find for sale, but it can make a good small tree or a large shrub (灌木) in the landscape.
1. What might the name of the first maple be based on?A.Its height. | B.Its native area. |
C.The size of its leaves. | D.The function it performs. |
A.The bigleaf maple. | B.The hedge maple. |
C.The norway maple. | D.The hornbeam maple. |
A.Its leaves look like hands. |
B.It is larger than other maples. |
C.It is easy to find for sale at the market. |
D.Its leaves differ from those of typical maples. |
3 . Four Unique Festivals In Europe
Anything that exists or doesn’t exist can be the main theme of one of Europe’s festivals. Add excitement to your future travel plans with these unusual events.
Battle of the Oranges, Ivrea, ItalyEvery year on the third week of February, the Italian town of Ivrea turns into a battlefield filled with oranges, where participants launch 600, 000 kilograms of oranges at each other during the historic carnival of the city. According to history, the Battle of the Oranges aimed to reconstruct a 12th-century battle between the locals and Napoleon’s royal army.
Air Guitar World Championships, Oulu, FinlandAnyone can try to play the guitar, but it takes a special talent to play an invisible guitar. Every August, musical instrument artists from all over the world flock to northern Finland, putting their best onstage “shamelessly” with their invisible instruments to compete for the event. Held in conjunction with the Oulu Music Video Festival, this contest since 1996 has been aiming to promote world peace.
Running of the Bulls, Pamplona, SpainThis internationally recognized event, which starts on July 7th, has grown massively. It originated from men using fear and excitement to hurry the process of taking cattle to market. Nowadays the event is a lot more organized, and thousands now run through a barricaded (设路障的) course being chased by a thundering herd of bulls!
Kettlewell Scarecrow (稻草人) Festival, Kettlewell, BritainIn medieval times, farmers in England would often make unique human dolls out of straw to chase away fierce animals and birds, and place them in the fields to protect the crops. Later, this tradition gradually evolved into this national farmers’ festival. For two weeks in August, a variety of activities have emerged, including the finely crafted scarecrow production, and competing for the champion in the competition.
1. Which festival has its origin related with a war in history?A.Battle of the Oranges. | B.Air Guitar World Championships. |
C.Running of the Bulls. | D.Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival. |
A.It is intended to appeal to special talents onstage. |
B.Its participants perform with imaginary instruments. |
C.Its participants are limited to people in northern Finland. |
D.It provides participants with specially-made instruments. |
A.They take place at the same time. | B.They share the similar celebrations. |
C.They originated from traditional practice. | D.They showed the abundance of the locals. |
4 . When you are concerned about your uninspiring exam grades or sporting performance, psychologist Adam Grant has some good news. “
As a(n)
Despite these
Much of our
“I used to believe that you could
A.Concept | B.Success | C.Security | D.Belief |
A.on the whole | B.in a sense | C.in the flesh | D.on no account |
A.individual | B.junior | C.trainee | D.celebrity |
A.impressive | B.intense | C.dependent | D.efficient |
A.tough | B.sensitive | C.curious | D.flexible |
A.created | B.needed | C.ignored | D.escaped |
A.cautious | B.energetic | C.awkward | D.enthusiastic |
A.barriers | B.chances | C.efforts | D.characters |
A.recalled | B.banned | C.abandoned | D.fueled |
A.Respectively | B.Unfortunately | C.Ultimately | D.Logically |
A.alarmed | B.packed | C.disappointed | D.puzzled |
A.availability | B.probability | C.restriction | D.devotion |
A.proof | B.warning | C.rule | D.desire |
A.purpose | B.ability | C.failure | D.decision |
A.detect | B.assume | C.promise | D.deny |
A.shine | B.cheat | C.delight | D.delay |
A.enjoy | B.limit | C.hurt | D.conduct |
A.differ | B.separate | C.judge | D.defend |
A.Equal | B.Similar | C.Blind | D.Contrary |
A.impact | B.reaction | C.regret | D.performance |
5 . Total solar eclipses (日食) have scared people since time out of mind. The first record of one, preserved on a clay tablet found at Ugarit, once a trade city but destroyed later in Syria, is believed from its age and location to describe either an eclipse that happened in 1375 BC or one in 1223 BC. Legendary explanations for eclipses include the Sun being eaten by dogs, frogs or dragons. The reality is not romantic. Why are total ones, like the one coming on April 8, so rare?
Solar eclipses are a special case of phenomena called transits and occultations, in which an intervening (介于中间的) heavenly body stops light from a star reaching an observer. If the blocking body appears smaller in the sky than the star, the result is called a transit and looks like a dark spot crossing the star’s surface. If the blocking object appears larger than the star, the star disappears completely—an occultation. A total eclipse is an occultation.
Solar eclipses may be either of these things, since the apparent sizes in the sky of the Sun and the Moon, viewed from Earth, are almost identical. If the Moon orbited Earth in the same plane as Earth orbits the Sun, eclipses would happen every month, but would be total only in the tropics (热带地区). In reality, the average interval between total eclipses is 18 months, and they may be seen from time to time all over the world. The path of totality across Earth’s surface is narrow and the period short (a maximum of just over seven and a half minutes). Outside these boundaries, the Sun will appear partially eclipsed, looking like a pie that something has taken a bite from.
The Great North American Eclipse, as it has been called, will be a sight to be hold on April 8. But it should also be cherished, because total eclipses of the Sun will not happen for ever. Tidal friction (潮汐摩擦) causes the Moon to move away from Earth at 3.8 cm a year, making it appear smaller and smaller in the sky. In 600 million years or so the last, short totality will occur.
1. What does the clay tablet of Ugarit represent?A.Some figures of ancient animals. |
B.The Sun being eaten by some animals. |
C.Ancient people who were hunting for animals. |
D.The earliest total solar eclipse recorded. |
A.By listing statistics. | B.By giving definitions. |
C.By giving examples. | D.By analyzing cause and effect. |
A.Their duration is relatively longer. | B.They take place every month actually. |
C.They are visible only from a narrow path. | D.They look like a bite taken out of the Sun. |
A.The moving-away Moon. |
B.The stronger tide on Earth. |
C.The smaller attraction of the Moon for Earth. |
D.The changing distance between the Sun and Earth. |
6 . Since Cynthia Florio was a lifeguard at Tobay Beach in the 1990s, she has watched the ocean approach the shore and draw closer to the dunes (沙丘). It’s what forced Florio, 53, of Massapequa, to take part in the Town of Oyster Bay’s annual dune grass planting event on March 30 — an effort to help stabilize the beach dunes against shoreline erosion (侵蚀).
Along with other volunteers, Florio had spent hours with her daughter, Kyra Florio-Marinello, 15, and her daughter’s friend Tatum Brennan, 15, planting the native plants that were intended to absorb water and prepare the sand against heavy wind. But four days later, a storm on Wednesday hit Long Island and washed the new plants away. “The latest dune planting event drew more than 150 volunteers who planted a lot across 2.7 acres of Atlantic Ocean sand dunes,” said Marta Kane, an Oyster Bay spokeswoman. “The dune grass cost the town $32,000.”
The event, centered on volunteerism, drew some families whose elders were looking to share a message with a younger generation about the importance of protecting the environment. While the outcome resulted in a wave of disappointment, for some volunteers that was coupled with a sense of renewed motivation. Maria Rizzi, 70, of Massapequa, participated in the planting session with her grandson, Andrew Lepsis, 10. She said she would go back for another event with even more family members. “I’d be willing to do it again,” she said. “I’d even talk the older grand kids into coming.”
While the storm swept the new plants away, Florio said Tobay Beach’s appearance aftermath serves as a powerful reminder of the need for more volunteer work on that stretch of sand. “Maybe it will inspire more people to volunteer and understand the need for us to protect our beaches,” Florio said.
1. What is the aim of the dune grass planting event?A.To protect the ocean from being polluted. | B.To keep the shoreline in good shape. |
C.To reduce extreme weather conditions. | D.To prevent people playing on the beach. |
A.Popular but costly. | B.Traditional but complex. |
C.Creative and economical. | D.Successful and rewarding. |
A.Interesting. | B.Disappointed. | C.Hopeless. | D.Motivated. |
A.Great Grass Planting | B.The Best of the Storm |
C.Spirit Never Washed Away | D.Volunteers Making History Together |
7 . Trillions of evolution’s wonders, red-eyed periodical cicadas (蝉) that have pumps in their heads and jet-like muscles in their bodies, are about to emerge in numbers not seen in decades and possibly centuries. Crawling out from underground every 13 or 17 years, with a collective song as loud as jet engines, the periodical cicadas are nature’s kings of the calendar. These black bugs with bulging eyes differ from their greener cousins that come out annually. They stay buried year after year, until they surface and take over a landscape.
This spring, an unusual cicada double population is about to invade a couple of parts of the United States in what University of Connecticut cicada expert John Cooley called “cicada-geddon”. The last time these two broods (a group of creatures) came out together was in 1803. Thomas Jefferson, the then president, wrote about cicadas in his Garden Book but mistakenly called them locusts (蝗虫). Usually mistaken for hungry and unrelated locusts, periodical cicadas are more annoying rather than causing great economic damage. They can hurt young trees and some fruit crops, but it’s not widespread and can be prevented.
The largest geographic brood in the nation—called Brood XIX and coming out every 13 years—is about to march through the Southeast, having already created countless boreholes in the red Georgia clay. It’s a sure sign of the coming cicada occupation. “They emerge when the ground warms to 64 degrees, which is happening earlier than it used to because of climate change,” scientists said. “The bugs are brown at first but darken as they mature.”
Soon after the insects appear in large numbers in Georgia and the rest of the Southeast, cicada cousins that come out every 17 years will inundate Illinois. They are Brood ⅩⅢ. “And when you put those two together… you would have more than anywhere else any other time,” University of Maryland entomologist Paula Shrewsbury said. “These two broods may actually overlap—but probably not interbreed-in a small area near central Illinois.”
1. How are periodical cicadas different from their greener cousins?A.They appear once a year. | B.They look more beautiful. |
C.They have stronger muscles. | D.They have a longer life circle. |
A.They are a type of locusts. | B.They have underestimated advantages. |
C.They are Thomas Jefferson’s inspiration. | D.They only eat young trees and fruit crops. |
A.The red Georgia clay is more beneficial to them. |
B.Climate change may be confusing their schedules. |
C.The adult ones only live 4-6 weeks before they die. |
D.They are expected to be found throughout the world. |
A.strike out | B.give up | C.flood into | D.jump at |
8 . A planet that suffers 475 C beneath a thick acid atmosphere may be the last place you'd expect alien (外星的) life in our solar system. But one NASA scientist claims that extraterrestrials (天外来客) are most likely hiding on Venus amid conditions that are unbearable for humans. The new theory was put forward by the research scientist Dr Michelle Thaller. She says that possible signs of life have already been seen within the carbon-dioxide filled atmosphere, adding that she was absolutely certain that life exists somewhere.
Venus is often described as Earth's twin due to its similar size and structure. But their conditions couldn't be further apart, as astronomers believe it would be impossible for humans to exist on Venus. Positioned 67 million miles from the Sun, Venus is the hottest planet in our solar system, suffering temperatures that can even melt lead. Its atmosphere also adds to the uninhabitable situation.
Despite this, scientists have long debated whether Venus' clouds may host microbial (微生物的) life forms that can survive. Many scientists think that photosynthesis (光合作用) is possible on the planet's surface as Venus receives enough solar energy to pass through its thick clouds.
However, Professor Dominic Papineau, a biologist at the University College of London, believes Dr Thaller's views are “difficult to realistically assume”. He explained, “For life-related chemical reactions to take place, liquid water is necessary. Hence, to find extraterrestrial life, we need to find liquid water, and to find extraterrestrial fossils requires looking for special rocks that were associated with liquid water in the past.”
This makes life on Venus today difficult to realistically assume, because its surface is too hot, although Venus might have had liquid water in its past. Even still, both Professor Papineau and Dr Thaller agree that the icy moons of our solar system could also be sites of potential microbial life. NASA suggests there are 290 “traditional moons” in our solar system-excluding 462 smaller minor planets.
1. What can we know about Venus?A.Its atmosphere is thin acidic. |
B.It is much bigger than Earth. |
C.It is 77 million miles from the Sun. |
D.Venus and Earth are considered as twins. |
A.Photosynthesis can happen on Venus's surface. |
B.Thick clouds make photosynthesis in Venus hard. |
C.Liquid water is important for the extraterrestrials. |
D.Some rocks can prove life exists on Venus. |
A.The surface temperature of Venus is high. |
B.It's very easy to confirm life on Venus. |
C.Venus might have liquid water now. |
D.Many icy moons go around Venus. |
A.Education. | B.Science. | C.Culture. | D.Sports. |
9 . A brown and dry lawn is not something many gardeners would boast about. But that is exactly the kind of yard competition organizers in Sweden were looking for when they launched the prize for the “World’s Ugliest Lawn”. People from around the world were invited to post pictures of their dehydrated(脱水的)grass to social media in a bid to win the uncertain honor.
The intention, according to those behind the project, was to raise awareness of “saving water on a global scale by changing the norm for green lawns”. Lawns, which can require large amounts of water to maintain, are coming under increasing examination as climate change makes periods of drought more frequent and intense.
The global initiative was launched on the official website for Gotland in Sweden. “Huge amounts of water are used to water lawns for aesthetics(美学). As the world gets warmer, lack of water in urban areas is projected to affect up to 2.4 billion people by 2050. By not watering lawns for aesthetic reasons, we can protect the availability of groundwater,” the competition organizers said.
The unlikely title has been awarded to Kathleen Murray who lives in Sandford in Tasmania, Australia. According to the organizers, Murray’s lawn “boasts deep and dry divots created by three wild bandicoots(袋狸)and not one dust-covered decimeter is wasted on watering”. Murray said in the press release about her triumph, “I am terribly proud! I knew I would have my 5 minutes of fame, even if it was for having the ugliest lawn on the planet! I am now free of ever taking care of my lawn again.”
A press release by the Gotland, office added, “For the planet and its declining stockpiles of life-giving liquid, thank you, Kathleen, as well as those naughty bandicoots damaging your lawn for the greater good.” Organizers added, “Gotland aims to show to Sweden and the world that sustainable behavior doesn’t have to be dull.”
1. What can we say about the yard competition organized in Sweden?A.People had even doubted its authenticity. |
B.People worldwide were unwilling to join. |
C.Its participants must be professional gardeners. |
D.Its entries must agree with the existing aesthetics. |
A.To call on people to protect lawns. | B.To encourage people to be creative. |
C.To challenge the norm of aesthetics. | D.To remind people of water shortage. |
A.Ambition. | B.Success. | C.Sorrow. | D.Barrier. |
A.People’s Whelming Reaction To A Yard Contest In Sweden |
B.Lawns And Rare Bandicoots Calling For Urgent Protection |
C.A Lawn Named The Ugliest Globally All For A Good Cause |
D.The World’s Ugliest Lawn Unaccepted By The Whole World |
10 . 4 Really Strange Beaches
Sandy stretches of gray, brown or even white are the world’s norm. Even rocky beaches or those with sheer cliffs barring passage for everyone save the bravest adventurers are not rare. These unique beaches are some of the best treats nature has to offer.
Papakolea Beach, Hawaii, USA
Papakōlea Beach is a green sand beach located near South Point, in the Ka’ū district of the island of Hawai ’i. One of only two green sand beaches in the World, the other being in Galapagos Islands.
Papakōlea Beach is associated with the southwest rift (裂谷) of Mauna Loa. Since its last eruption, the cinder cone has partially collapsed and been partially swallowed by the ocean.
San Alfonso del Mar Beach, Chile
This beach is located between the largest artificial pool. San Alfonso del Mar Beach is an essential part of the luxurious resort of the same name.
It seems a strange spot for the world’s largest swimming pool. But the pool’s remarkable spaciousness (宽敞) complements the ocean beyond rather effortlessly, and jumping in the pool’s 79℉(26℃) water is a much more attractive prospect than venturing into the 63℉(17℃) seawater nearby.
Maho Beach, Sint Maarten
Maho Beach is a beach on the Dutch side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin, in the country of Sint Maarten. It is famous for the Princess Juliana International Airport next to the beach.
Arriving aircraft must touch down as close as possible to the beginning of Runway 10 due to the short runway length of 380 metres, resulting in aircraft on their final approach flying over the beach at minimal altitude.
Ocean Dome, Japan
This is an artificial beach constructed in the Seagaia re son along the coastal highway outside the city of Myazaki in Japan it has a fully controlled indoor climate throughout the year.
The Ocean Dome, which was a popular part of the Sheraton Seagaia Resort, measures 300 meters in length and 100 meters in width.
1. What has Papakōlea Beach experienced in Hawaii?A.One mineral. | B.One connection. |
C.One fierce rift. | D.One severe outbreak. |
A.Jumping into the pool’s water |
B.Learning to jump water in the pool |
C.Building a spacious swimming pool |
D.Taking a risk of swimming in the pool |
A.They lie beside good places built. | B.They both lie on an island. |
C.They are both artificial beaches. | D.They are both well-known. |