1 . The Intelligent Transport team at Newcastle University have turned an electric car into a mobile laboratory named “Drive LAB” in order to understand the challenges faced by older drivers and to discover where the key stress points are.

Research shows that giving up driving is one of the key reasons for a fall in health and well-being among older people, leading to them becoming more isolated and inactive.

Led by Professor Phil Blythe, the Newcastle team are developing in-vehicle technologies for older drivers which they hope could help them to continue driving into later life.

These include custom-made navigation (导航) tools, night vision systems and intelligent speed adaptations. Phil Blythe explains: “For many older people, particularly those living alone or in the country driving is important for keeping their independence, giving them the freedom to get out and about without having to rely on others.”

“But we all have to accept that as we get older our reactions slow down and this often results in people avoiding any potentially challenging driving conditions and losing confidence in their driving skills. The result is that people stop driving before they really need to.”

Dr Amy Guo, the leading researcher on the older driver study, explains, “The Drive LAB is helping us to understand what the key stress points and difficulties are for older drivers and how we might use technology to solve these problems.”

“For example, most of us would expect older drivers always go slower than everyone else but surprisingly, we found that in 30mph zones they struggled to keep at a constant speed and so were more likely to break the speed limit and be at risk of getting fined. We’re looking at the benefits of systems which control their speed as a way of preventing that.”

“We hope that our work will help with technological solutions to ensure that older drivers stay safer behind the wheel.”

1. What is the purpose of the Drive LAB?

A．To explore new means of transport.	B．To design new types of cars.
C．To teach people traffic rules.	D．To find out older driver’s problems.

2. Why is driving important for older people according to Phil Blythe?

A．It keeps them independent.	B．It helps them save time.
C．It builds up their strength.	D．It cures their mental illnesses.

3. What do researchers hope to do for older people?

A．Ensure their safety with the help of technology.

B．Improve their diving skills.

C．Provide advice on repairing their cars.

D．Organize regular physical checkups.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．A New Model Electric Car	B．Keeping Older Drivers on the Road
C．A Solution to Traffic Problems	D．Driving Services for Elders

2 . Planning to get away? Think passport first

If you’re planning to get away from it all this year, you should think passport first. Checking you have a valid passport before you book your trip takes minutes but could save you the trouble and cost of not being able to go.

Renewing (更新) your passport before it runs out

You can renew your passport up to 9 months before it can no longer be legally used. So take the time now and save the tears later.

Applying for a passport for the first time

Our eligibility (资格) checks mean that it takes at least one week to issue (颁发) a passport. So make sure you don’t leave it to the last minute, and apply in plenty of time.

Help with your application is just around the corner

Selected Post Office branches and Worldchoice travel agents offer a Check and Send service that helps you with your application. It’s convenient and you should receive your passport within 2 weeks.

If you need to apply for or renew a passport, you can either:

Pick up a Passport Application Form at Selected Post Office branches and Worldchoice travel agents.

Or call the Application Form Request line on 0901 4700 100 or visit www.passport.gov.uk

If your need is urgent, call 0870 521 0410 for an appointment at one of our offices. We can’t guarantee to see customers without an appointment.

1. When applying for a passport for the first time, you need to know that ______.

A．passports can be legally used forever

B．passports are issued at the last minute

C．application checks take at least one week

D．applications are selected by post office branches

2. According to the passage, you can meet your urgent need by ______.

A．going to the offices directly

B．making a call for an appointment

C．visiting www.passport.gov.uk for a guarantee

D．getting in touch with Worldchoice travel agents

3. What is the passage mainly about?

A．Certain types of passports.	B．Instructions on applying for passports..
C．Advantages of holding passports.	D．Different functions of passports

3 . During my second year in high school, I got sick and missed a few days. When I _________, I was greeted with two essays due, three days of math and history homework, plus several tests. _________ I went home from school that day tired, I had to stay up really late to finish them all.

The next day at school, I got a rude awakening: I’d totally forgotten to prepare for the _________ on Romeo and Juliet, which I’d take _________ my lunch hour! Worse still, I had _________ the in-class discussion and all the notes. When lunch came, I went to the English room to face my certain doom (厄运). All I could do was try to _________ on the questions I didn’t know.

As it turned out, I didn’t know the majority of the questions. I was just about to give _________ when my pencil accidentally fell and broke. Standing by the blackboard sharpening my pencil, I _________ down and there was the answer for the test! “What good fortune! I can kiss good-bye to all my _________ of failing the test!” My heart started beating, and my brain __________, “Yes! Read over the answers—quickly!” This was quickly followed by another voice, “No! You’ll get caught! My mind turning back and forth, Yes! No! Yes! No!...” This went on for ten of the __________ seconds in my entire life.

Finally, I decided to finish the test on my own, without __________! I was satisfied with my decision but pretty __________ I had failed the test.

The next day when I walked into the English room, my great joy of having been an __________ soul changed into a wave of doom as I saw my test paper lying face down on my desk. I knew what awaited me. I stared at it a few seconds before I got up the __________ to turn it over.

You can only imagine my __________ when I learned that I had passed the test! I have never in my whole life been so happy to see my __________ a C-.

My mom says the victories that __________ the most courage are won within. Now I know __________ what she means. Now not only can my conscience (良心) rest easy, but I don’t have to worry about getting caught and meeting a sad __________ like Romeo and Juliet.

1.

A．arrived

B．appeared

C．returned

D．finished

2.

A．If

B．Although

C．Until

D．Because

3.

A．lecture

B．essay

C．play

D．test

4.

A．by

B．upon

C．over

D．toward

5.

A．missed

B．carried

C．lost

D．dropped

6.

A．depend

B．guess

C．agree

D．improve

7.

A．in

B．off

C．out

D．away

8.

A．wrote

B．settled

C．calmed

D．looked

9.

A．boredom

B．worries

C．loneliness

D．tiredness

10.

A．persuaded

B．warned

C．whispered

D．chanted

11.

A．coldest

B．saddest

C．longest

D．fastest

12.

A．suffering

B．cheating

C．checking

D．thinking

13.

A．certain

B．regretful

C．annoyed

D．relieved

14.

A．open

B．honest

C．optimistic

D．energetic

15.

A．wisdom

B．encouragement

C．nerve

D．intention

16.

A．anxiety

B．shock

C．fear

D．appreciation

17.

A．paper

B．credit

C．grade

D．rate

18.

A．take

B．put

C．find

D．gain

19.

A．gradually

B．exactly

C．willingly

D．seemingly

20.

A．film

B．fact

C．ending

D．love

4 . Learning to say “yes, and”

When I first heard about the improvisation (即兴交流) class, I was hesitating. As a quiet and shy girl, I feared improvising in front of strangers. However, I knew I wanted to work as a science communicator after finishing my Ph.D., so it seemed like a perfect chance to learn how to speak and communicate with others effectively. I signed up, knowing the experience would give me help.

During our first class, we learned an important concept of improvisation: “yes, and.” It means that, as improvisers, we’d better accept what fellow performers say. If someone says that rhinos (犀牛) are librarians, for example, then rhinos are librarians. We do not question the logic; we say “yes” and then continue with the scene as if nothing is wrong.

The first few scenes were hard, but as weeks turned into months, I became more comfortable and even started to enjoy our classes. I became better at listening, relating to my conversation partners, and communicating clearly in the moment. Once when I was giving a presentation about my science, an audience member surprised me with a question that didn’t grow out of the information I’d presented. Instead of getting confused and nervous, I took the “yes, and” approach—accepting the question and letting my mind focus on why it was asked. That helped me find an appropriate answer. I got pretty excited about it.

The benefits of improvisation go beyond communication. Before attending the class, I would get stuck when my experiments produced unexpected data, thinking that I had made a mistake. But now, instead of getting discouraged, I will stay open to the possibility that the results are real, keep exploring the data and end up identifying a new type of cell—one that isn’t behaving as expected.

I think all scientists can benefit from this lesson. If the data say rhinos are librarians, then it’s worth finding out whether rhinos are, in fact, librarians. As scientists, our job isn’t to challenge data that support, a preconceived story, but to say “yes, and.”

1. Why did the author attend the improvisation class?

A．To get a different experience.

B．To finish her Ph.D. at university.

C．To give up her job as a science communicator.

D．To improve her speaking and communicating ability.

2. What was the author’s change after attending the improvisation class?

A．She formed her own idea quickly.

B．She came up with lots of creative responses.

C．She paid more attention to the logic of answers.

D．She became a good listener before giving an opinion.

3. The author mentions applying the “yes, and” approach to her scientific experiments to ________.

A．explain the process of using the method

B．prove the benefits of the improvisation class

C．share her own research experiences with readers

D．attract fellow scientists to attend the improvisation class

4. What can be inferred about scientists from the last paragraph?

A．They should attend the improvisation class.

B．They should question all preconceived ideas.

C．They should carry on research by admitting earlier data.

D．They should try to improve their academic knowledge.

5 . What you do after studying could have a big effect on how well you learn and remember. Today on Education Tips, we will explore two no-cost ways that can help you improve your learning: wakeful rest and sleep.

When many students finish studying, they often go straight to another activity. Perhaps they look at their phone or computer. They might even play a video game or watch television. But research suggests that resting after your study may help you remember what you have studied.

The basic idea is this: by stopping your activity after the study, your brain gets a chance to rest. Resting is difficult when you are playing computer games.

While this might sound unusual to you, many studies have explored the benefits of resting after learning—what is called “wakeful rest”.

A 2019 study found that both young and older adults were able to better remember information they learned after doing wakeful rest.

If you want to give “wakeful rest” a try, here are a few simple things to do. Rest quietly for five to ten minutes. Do not look at your phone, read stories or play games. It is really that easy!

Besides wakeful rest, sleep is also important for learning. The Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS) notes that sleep helps people to learn in two ways. A report on the school’s website explains that “a sleep-deprived person cannot focus attention well and therefore cannot learn well”. It also says, “Sleep itself helps us to memorize and that memorizing is very important for learning new information.”

The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) suggests that adults between the ages of 20 and 64 get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per day. Teenagers may need a little bit more, and people over the age of 65 may need a little less.

Try to get some “wakeful rest” after a study. Then try to get a good night’s sleep. That’s it—a simple, no-cost way to help you remember what you learn.

1. What is paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．The importance of sleep.	B．The good ways to get a rest.
C．The reason for having a rest.	D．The types of resting activities.

2. Which activity might be recommended shortly after studying?

A．Reading a newspaper.	B．Playing a video game.
C．Sitting there doing nothing.	D．Having a nice sleep at night.

3. How long should teenagers sleep each day according to NSF?

A．Less than 7 hours.	B．Just 7 hours.
C．No more than 9 hours.	D．Around 9 hours.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．Low-cost Tips on Working	B．Good Things to Do After Your Study
C．Why Do We Need to Have a Good Sleep?	D．How Long Should We Rest After Learning?

6 . Can you imagine a world without music? Studies show that public schools across the country are cutting back on music classes to save money. Worse, some schools have never had music classes to begin with. But without them, students’ academic(学业的) growth and emotional health could suffer. In fact, music classes are necessary for all students in schools.

A recent study by Brown University has shown that students who had music classes were better in math and reading skills than those without having music classes. Another study by The College Board found that students taking music and art classes got higher points. Students’ academic success seems to depend on taking part in music education.

Music programs in public schools also help to add to a student’s sense of pride and self-confidence. Teens today have too many learning tasks. Besides, they have family problems, self-confidence problems, relationship troubles, and choices about drugs and alcohol. All of these can stop academic success, but music education can help. Students who took part in school music programs were less likely to turn to drugs. Music programs encourage students to work together to produce an excellent performance.

Music crosses language, class cultural and political boundaries(界限). Music allows students from different countries to connect. For example, at a school talent show, a new Japanese student played a piano duet(二重奏) with an American classmate. Although they could not communicate verbally, they were able to read the music in order to play the duet. Two students from different cultures worked as a team with self-confidence and a common purpose through music.

The gift of music is priceless. We need to be sure of having necessary music classes for all students. The world is losing its music, and putting music into schools is the first step to get it back.

1. What can we know about education with music classes?

A．It wastes a lot of money from parents.	B．It leads to a lot of emotional problems easily.
C．It helps students improve their school work.	D．It has a bad influence on the quality of education.

2. The studies in paragraph 2 show that        .

A．not all students take part in music classes

B．students with great success attend music classes

C．students having music classes are better in all courses

D．music plays an important role in students’ academic success

3. What does the example in paragraph 4 mainly suggest?

A．Different cultures have different styles of music.

B．Music makes cross-country communication possible.

C．Japan has a good international relationship with America.

D．Japanese and American students are good at playing the piano.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．Music education in schools	B．How to get music back?
C．Music—a bridge to understanding	D．The importance of listening to music

7 . I became a gardener when I was twelve. My early________of gardening may not have originated from my love for nature. It was to ________my parents.

At that time, we had a big yard in which a beautiful maple tree stood. But my mother often looked with ________at this work of natural art. Those golden leaves seemed like tons of rubbish to her, “something else to ________!”Seeing the neighbors busy with gardening, my father ever thought it a waste of time.

At that age, I always did something________to whatever my parents did! If gardening were something they found________, I would plant a garden!

I planted some lily (百合花)seeds in the yard. But they failed to ________. I continued to sunflower seeds and roses. Wild ________joy, I found the first rose bloom (开花). One by one, the flowers bloomed their heads off.________, I was touched by this land of wonder.

________, my parents showed no interest in my garden. My father even________at me because he found it was ________to move around my garden to the driveway. To my mother’s ________, I put her vase my real roses which, in her eyes, were simply weeds________flowers.

Regardless of their ________, I kept on planting my garden and ________to enjoy the pleasure gardening. Plants make such good companions: they breathe, they bloom, they________to care and love.

It has been many years since I made my first garden out of my desire to ________my parent. Today I become known as Mrs. Greenthumbs, teaching gardening and hosting a gardening show which makes my parents feel very________. And now I could say it is my affection for________that makes me a real gardener.

1.

A．memory

B．dream

C．intention

D．design

2.

A．please

B．change

C．help

D．annoy

3.

A．doubt

B．appreciation

C．surprise

D．excitement

4.

A．collect up

B．care about

C．clean up

D．come in

5.

A．equal

B．similar

C．superior

D．opposite

6.

A．painful

B．valuable

C．upsetting

D．interesting

7.

A．come up

B．break out

C．hold on

D．get through

8.

A．to

B．with

C．in

D．by

9.

A．Luckily

B．Cheerfully

C．Regularly

D．Eventually

10.

A．Inetead

B．However

C．Therefore

D．Besides

11.

A．shouted

B．laughed

C．glanced

D．jumped

12.

A．convenient

B．troublesome

C．enjoyed

D．dangerous

13.

A．sadness

B．displeasure

C．delight

D．relief

14.

A．other than

B．more than

C．rather than

D．less than

15.

A．dislike

B．encouragement

C．threat

D．suggestion

16.

A．decided

B．stopped

C．continued

D．struggled

17.

A．devote

B．turn

C．respond

D．lead

18.

A．defeat

B．satisfy

C．respect

D．challenge

19.

A．proud

B．comfortable

C．strange

D．disappointed

20.

A．freedom

B．life

C．growth

D．nature

8 . As online technology advanced, web sites, podcasts, and blogs became powerful sources of information that allowed everyone to stay updated on any subject imaginable. Although all of these information sources remain popular, there's a new king of media and it's online video.

There are many reasons why online video has increased suddenly over the past few years. The first is increasing data speeds. It wasn't until recently that people everywhere had fast enough online connections to enjoy high-definition （高清）videos. However, once faster Internet speeds were provided, people quickly fell in love with online videos. The second reason why online videos have become so popular is convenience. Watching videos requires less effort and energy than reading through paragraphs of text after a day of hard work. Videos also seem to provide more satisfaction, as people prefer to connect with people they can hear and see, as against the words of some author whom they know little about.

Advancing digital technology has also helped, as it has made sharing videos easier and more convenient than ever. High-powered smartphones and more affordable video cameras allow anyone to easily record an event or give a few comments about a scorching topic that is on their mind. Meanwhile, sites like YouTube, Vimeo, and Ustream allow users to quickly upload their videos and share them with friends, family, and the general public if they wish.

Last but not least, advertising. Companies have made it easy for people to get rewarded for creating popular videos. Some people with large enough fan bases can even make a very wealthy living by uploading a few videos every week.

The future also looks bright for companies who post online video ads. In fact, new software allows them to watch viewers' emotional reactions to their content through the users' webcams （网络摄像机）.They'll be able to see whether users laugh, cry, or feel bored during videos, so they can adjust their ads. This should prove extremely helpful, as there will be millions of videos competing for viewers' attention.

1. Why do some people prefer watching videos to reading after work?

A．It helps them review the news.

B．It helps them get information with relative ease.

C．It provides them more information.

D．It helps them save time.

2. What does the underlined word "scorching" in Paragraph 3 mean?

A．Unusual.

B．Future.

C．Hot.

D．Social.

3. How will the software mentioned in the last paragraph help companies in the future?

A．It will enable them to better understand what customers enjoy.

B．It will let more viewers see the advertisements they make.

C．It will cause viewers to create more popular videos.

D．It will make people like their videos.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Online Video:   The New King of Media

B．Online Technology is Developing Fast

C．Online Video:   A New Advertising Trend

D．Online Technology is Closely Related to People

9 . Some teens are disapproving of compulsory BMI (body mass index) （身体质量指数） checks in PE classes. Do BMI checks at school do more harm than good? Two teens take sides.

Maya Meade, a high school freshman in Ohio, says yes. “I understand that schools want to weigh students because they are concerned about their physical health. That’s not a bad thing! But what about their mental health? For many students, appearance and self-image are huge sources of stress. Forcing teens to be weighed at school will only increase the pressure they feel to fit a certain mold (模子)”, says Maya.

In Maya’s opinion, weight is a personal matter that should stay between a doctor and a patient. She says, “Just imagine someone who struggles with body image being told that his or her BMI is too high as classmates look on! Even if other kids can’t hear, no student wants to feel judged by his or her teacher. That’s not why we go to school.”

Maya thinks if a school wants to have an impact on a student’s physical health, there are better ways to do it, such as providing healthy but filling meals, encouraging physical activity and teaching students about nutrition.

Ben Bagbek, a second-year student in a high school in New York, holds a different opinion. “There is no reason why a school should not be allowed to weigh its students and teach them how to calculate BMI! Obesity (肥胖症) is a huge public health concern in our country. And schools are in a position to help students understand what their weight means to their health -- before they’re at risk of life-threatening conditions.”

“A school’s job is to help students reach their full potential, and your health undoubtedly plays a role in your academic performance. BMI is not a perfect measurement, but it can help you identify the need for healthier eating habits or more physical activity.” says Ben.

The bottom line is: When you feel good, you learn better. As long as the actual number on the scale stays private, it should be viewed as an important part of your health education.

1. What are the two teens debating?

A．Whether students are enjoying PE classes.

B．Whether schools are body-shaming students.

C．Whether students should pay attention to weight.

D．Whether schools should help students lose weight.

2. According to Maya, what will BMI checks bring to students?

A．Healthy diets.	B．Emotional stress.
C．Fierce competition.	D．Positive self-awareness.

3. What does Maya think of weight?

A．It’s private.	B．It’s important.
C．It’s hard to lose.	D．It’s not a big deal.

4. Which of the following may Ben agree with?

A．Most school students are overweight.

B．BMI checks are of little help to students.

C．Schools have the right to weigh students.

D．It’s not schools’ duty to help students keep fit.

10 . Recently whenever I turned on my computer or my mobile phone, news about the great effect of Hurricane Harvey（哈维飓风）on thousands of people caught my eye. I saw many unfortunate events. However, there was also lots of bright news that showed the goodness of mankind. As a reporter, I reported many human-interest stories when doing my job, That’s why the story about the guys in the bakery（面包店）caught my eye.

When the workers at a Mexican bakery chain in Houston were trapped inside the building for two days, they didn't sit there feeling sorry for themselves. They used their time wisely after flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. While waiting for the eventual rescue that came on Monday morning, the four workers decided to make as many loaves of bread as possible for people around the neighborhood. They talked to their manager about their plan over the phone and the manager agreed.

The flood water rose in the street outside. They took advantage of their emergency power supply to bake bread. They used more than 4,200 pounds of flour（面粉）to create hundreds of loaves and sheets of sweet bread. Although the water kept rising, they continued baking to help more people. By the time the manager managed to get to them, they had made so much bread that they took the loaves to lots of emergency centers across the city for people affected by the floods.

The store manager, Brian Alvarado, told The Independent, “They've done more than they should have done. And what they had done has lit a light for people. I feel lucky to have them work in the bakery.”

Whenever a disaster occurs, nobody should feelforlorn. Instead, we should stay hopeful and take positive action to save ourselves and help others. Our acts of kindness will make a big difference to the people in the world as well as the world itself.

1. Why did the story in the bakery draw the author’s attention?

A．It was helpful in choosing a good job.

B．It made him/her interested in baking.

C．It could bring him/her much money.

D．It showed the goodness of mankind.

2. What did the guys in the bakery do in the disaster?

A．They tried to get people out of water.

B．They set up emergency centers to help.

C．They offered to make bread for people.

D．They let homeless people live in the bakery.

3. What does Brian Alvarado think of the four workers?

A．He found them lucky.	B．He was proud of them.
C．They were experienced.	D．They were shy but brave.

4. What does the underlined word “forlorn” in the last paragraph probably mean?

A．Hopeless.

B．Confident.

C．Serious.

D．Angry.