1 . Facial recognition software has found an unlikely new application: scanning the faces of thousands of British children in school canteens.

Nine schools in North Ayrshire will today start taking lunch payments by scanning the faces of pupils, claiming that the new system speeds up queues and is more secure than the card payments and fingerprint scanners they used previously. “It’s the fastest way of recognising someone at the till,” said David Swanston, the managing director of CRB Cunninghams, the company that installed the systems. “In a secondary school you have around a 25-minute period to serve potentially 1,000 pupils. So we need fast productivity at the point of sale.” He said the average transaction time was cut to five seconds per pupil.

However, privacy campaigners say there is little need to spread out facial recognition technology, which has been criticized for often operating without gaining approvals from the owners. Swanston argued that CRB Cunningham’s system, which uses cameras to check against coded face-print modes stored on servers at the schools, was different from live facial recognition systems that scan through crowds to identify faces. Live facial recognition has previously caused debate after being used by schools for security or to monitor attendance.

North Ayrshire committee said that 97 percent of children or their parents had given agreement for the new system. “Pupils often forget their PINs and unfortunately some have also been the victim of PIN cheating, so they are supportive of the planned developments and appreciate the benefits to them,” the council said.

But some parents said they were unsure whether their children had been given enough information to make their decision, and suggested that peer pressure had also played a role.

1. What can we infer from Swanston’s word?

A．He speaks highly of the system.

B．The software is intended to promote the sales.

C．The technology has previously caused debate.

D．The system will be helpful when the students forget their PINs.

2. What is not the advantage of the facial recognition software?

A．It speeds up the queues.

B．It is safer than the previous payments.

C．It operates without being approved of.

D．It benefits the pupils who often forget their PINs.

3. What’s the author’s attitude to the application of facial recognition technology?

A．Supportive	B．Disapproved
C．Objective	D．Critical

4. What does this passage mainly talk about?

A．Facial recognition has been the best way adopted so far.

B．Parents disagree with the application of facial recognition system.

C．The facial recognition system can benefit the pupils who are forgetful.

D．Schools speed up canteen queues with facial recognition technology.

2 . Some people, regardless of what they lack—money, looks, or social connections—always show with energy and confidence. Even the most doubting individuals find themselves attracted with these lovely personalities. These people are the ones you turn to for help, advice, and companionship. You just can’t get enough of them, and they leave you asking yourself, “What do they have that I don’t? What makes them so attractive?”

The difference? Their sense of self-worth comes from within. Attractive people aren’t constantly searching for value, because they’re confident enough to find it in themselves. There are certain habits they pursue every day to keep this healthy view. Since being attractive isn’t the result of dumb luck, it’s time to study the habits of attractive people so that you can use them to your benefit.

Get ready to say “hello” to a new, more attractive you. Attractive people treat everyone with respect. Whether interacting with their biggest shoppers or a server taking their drink order, attractive people are unfailingly polite and respectful. They treat every one with respect because they believe they’re no belief than anyone else.

They follow the golden rule. One person loves public recognition, while another hates being the center of attention. The golden rule is to treat others as they want to be treated. Attractive people are great at reading other people, and they adjust their behaviors and styles to make others fell comfortable.

Bringing it all together, attractive people have simply perfected certain appealing qualities and habits that anyone can adopt as their own. They think about other people more than they think about themselves, and they make other people feel liked, respected, understood and seen. Just remember: the more you focus on others, the more attractive you’ll be.

1. Why are the people with lovely personalities different from you?

A．Because they show confidence and energy.

B．Because they maintain their healthy view.

C．Because they get along well with doubting individuals.

D．Bemuse they don’t lack money, looks, or social connections.

2. What does the underlined phrase “dumb luck” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Bad luck.	B．Study habit.
C．Valuable belief.	D．Good fortune.

3. What will an attractive person probably do when having dinner with his leader?

A．He will comfort his leader and the waitress during the dinner lime.

B．He will treat his leader properly and help the waitress when necessary.

C．He will make the leader focused when the leader prefers to stay alone.

D．He will just care about his leader rather than the waitress when ordering.

4. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?

A．The Intelligent People	B．The Golden Rule
C．The Attractive Personalities	D．The Different Qualities

3 . There are always some persons in your life who touch your soft heart with kindness.

As a little girl, my favorite thing was _______. And when I thought about _______ I wanted to be when I grew up, I figured I’d be a librarian, just because the two librarians changed my life.

At that time, the town library limited the number of books a person borrowed _______ two once a week. I _______ the books in just three days. So to read more, I was _______ about what books to choose. The librarian, Mrs. Tonne, was a warm person. Every time I went into the library, she greeted me, _______. When learning about my trouble, she often _______ some better books. Thanks to her help, I _______ a lot from these books.

Gradually, I developed an interest in writing, _______ poems. When I was in fourth grade, our school librarian, Mrs. Ketelsen, encouraged me to write more. When my poem was not accepted, she ________ me with comfortable words. Once she helped ________ some poems I’d written about dinosaurs to Highlights magazine. It was my first published writing!

Later, at the University of Iowa, ________ I majored in journalism, my dream was different. I realized that I was shy about interviewing people, which made me ________. When I recalled Mrs. Tonne and Mrs. Ketelsen, I made a decision without ________ to be devoted to writing. And now I am an editor at Reader’s Digest.

Whenever I think of the help from them, how ________ I am. It is their kindness that makes me what I am.

1.

A．reading

B．painting

C．exploring

D．creating

2.

A．how

B．why

C．where

D．what

3.

A．of

B．to

C．from

D．between

4.

A．published

B．edited

C．presented

D．finished

5.

A．under the weather

B．in the air

C．at a loss

D．on the rocks

6.

A．shouting

B．smiling

C．crying

D．dancing

7.

A．exchanged

B．recommend

C．designed

D．adapted

8.

A．reflected

B．devoted

C．expected

D．benefited

9.

A．extremely

B．fortunately

C．especially

D．slightly

10.

A．inspired

B．challenged

C．contented

D．tricked

11.

A．admit

B．send

C．revise

D．settle

12.

A．although

B．because

C．when

D．since

13.

A．relaxed

B．satisfied

C．impressed

D．upset

14.

A．hesitation

B．tension

C．exception

D．argument

15.

A．concerned

B．relieved

C．grateful

D．regretful

4 . The Most Breathtaking Theaters in the World

Shakespeare's Globe Theater（London, UK）

The original Globe Theater was built by Shakespeare's company in 1599, but was destroyed by fire in 1613. A replica was built in 1997 just meters from the original site. The new 857-seat structure has several modern features. It has the first and only straw roof permitted in London since the great fire of 1666.

Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London; +44 20 7902 1400

Margravial Opera House（Bayreuth, Germany）

Built in 1745, the UNESCO-listed Mareravial Opera House is regarded as the finest baroque theater in Europe. The stage has a depth of 27 meters and was the largest in Europe until 1871. Much of the original materials remain, along with original structures, such as the twin staircases.

Margravial Opera House, Opernstrasse 14. Bayreuth, Germany; +49 9 21 7 59 69 22

Teatro Amazonas（Manaus, Brazil）

There can't be many theaters located in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, and the Teatro Amazonas is certainly the most breathtaking. The theater was built in 1895 and was designed by Italian architect Celestial Sacardim. Work took 15 years. largely thanks to the decision to source supplies from all over the world

Amazon Theater, Centro, Manaus, Brazil; +55 92 3622 1880

National Centre for the Performing Arts（Beijing, China）

The National Centre for the Performing Arts（NCPA）, built in 2007, is an arts centre in Beijing. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu, the NCPA is the largest theatre complex（建筑群）in Asia. The NCPA includes value in both ancient traditional Chinese architecture and modern architecture. It was specially designed to improve the red walls of ancient buildings and the Great Hall of the People in order to fit in with the surroundings.

NCPA, No. 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing; +86 010 6655 0989

1. Where does the theatre with its longest survival time lie?

A．In London.

B．In Bayreuth

C．In Manaus.

D．In Beijing

2. Which of the following was designed by an Italian architect?

A．Shakespeare's Globe.	B．Margravial Opera House.
C．Teatro Amazonas.	D．National Centre for the Performing Arts.

3. How is National Centre for the Performing Arts special?

A．It features modern architecture.	B．It receives worldwide supplies.
C．It is a multifunctional theatre	D．It matches its surroundings.

5 . Parents are the closest people to you in the world. They love you just because you are you. And they would do anything for you.

Like a lot of middle school students, Zhuang Shuxia has her problem. She and her parents don’t get on well. “I really want to be my Daddy’s little girl. But he just doesn’t understand. He speaks to me but doesn’t listen to me, ” said Zhuang, a Junior 3 student in Hebei. Of course, lots of kids feel that way. But you and your parents will be much happier if you can be friends. Why don’t you take a walk and have a talk with your parents first? Here are some ways to have a good talk with them:

◆Find a good time to talk, like when you’re having dinner, going out for a walk or watching TV.

◆Tell them something you’re interested in, or ask them about their lives when they were young. They love to talk about it.

◆Listen to them carefully, and look at them in the eyes.

◆Be honest. Your parents will trust(信任)you more. And a trusting family is a happy family.

1. Who are the closest people to us according to the passage?

A．The people who love us.	B．The people who understand us.
C．Our father and mother.	D．All the family members.

2. Zhuang Shuxia’s problem is ________.

A．her father doesn’t think she works hard enough

B．her father doesn’t like to speak to her

C．she really wants to be a big girl

D．she can’t get on well with her parents

3. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?

A．Your parents love you just because you are such a good child.

B．Children and their parents will be happier if they make friends with each other.

C．It is a good time for children to talk with their parents when having dinner.

D．Children can win their parents’ trust if they are honest.

6 . Before I was born, my mom had worked as a nurse. However, she resigned (辞职) shortly after my birth to ________ me. After I turned 12, she ________ to work.

She left at 5:45 am, which left me ________ for waking myself up, preparing breakfast and walking to take the 7:30 am bus. I ________ being left home alone in the mornings. On days when she didn't go to the ________, she drove me both ways. Those were the ________ days.

One day, as we walked down the sidewalk, I saw an elderly man ________ us. He broke into a wide smile, but I didn't ________ him. “Leigh! Leigh!” he called my mother's name. I looked at him and smiled, unsure of my role.

“I hope you know how ________ you are!” he said after some small talk with Mom. I looked at him ________ since I had no idea what he was talking about.

“You have the most wonderful, ________ and lovely mother,” he said. “When I was in hospital last month, she took good care of me. Actually, young lady, I shall never ________ her.” Right then, I ________ what it meant for my mom to be a ________. She was caring for, serving and loving total ________, often during the darkest times in their lives. She cared for them and me, too.

1.

A．send for

B．wait for

C．care for

D．seek for

2.

A．refused

B．returned

C．planned

D．agreed

3.

A．ready

B．anxious

C．eager

D．responsible

4.

A．hated

B．regretted

C．enjoyed

D．practiced

5.

A．hospital

B．school

C．company

D．bank

6.

A．busiest

B．longest

C．happiest

D．loneliest

7.

A．judging

B．approaching

C．comforting

D．dragging

8.

A．reject

B．spot

C．admire

D．recognize

9.

A．lucky

B．cute

C．pretty

D．sweet

10.

A．calmly

B．excitedly

C．confusedly

D．disappointedly

11.

A．intelligent

B．caring

C．attractive

D．outgoing

12.

A．forgive

B．leave

C．cheat

D．forget

13.

A．doubted

B．understood

C．ignored

D．wondered

14.

A．doctor

B．lady

C．nurse

D．helper

15.

A．strangers

B．friends

C．colleagues

D．adults

7 . NASA selects university teams for space exploration

The moon's permanently shadowed areas, nearly 384, 400 kilometers away from home, are the closest water source outside the earth. The craters have been dark since billions of years ago. But now with student-developed technologies, more about them can be discovered.

Through the competitive Breakthrough, Innovative and Game-changing (BIG) Idea Challenge and the Space Grant project, NASA has awarded nearly $ 1 million to eight university teams. They will build sample lunar payloads (装备) and demonstrate innovative ways to study the moon's darkest areas.

"Its an exciting time for NASA and students across the country," said Drew J. Hope, Program Manager of Game Changing Development program. "Thanks to our partnership with the Office of STEM Engagement, this is the most money NASA has awarded in a student challenge directly connected to Artemis."

The chosen teams will work out ways to gather data in and around the craters, generate wireless power for future infrastructure, and enable autonomous mobility even in the most extreme environments. The research results could benefit NASA's Artemis Program and be used to study the moon ahead of a human landing in 2024 or help establish   sustained presence by 2028. Each team will receive different amounts of grants, based on the concept and budget they propose. They will develop and test the technologies in simulated(模拟的environments with the awards during the following 10 months, showing they are prepared for a possible lunar mission as early as 2023.Then in November 2020, a panel of NASA and industry experts will examine the teams' research and development results at a face-to-face design review.

"One of the most exciting things about this challenge is that several of the concepts, if proven to be valuable as a result of these awards, could eventually be integrated and operated together on the surface of the moon," according to Chad Rowe, Acting Manager of Space Grant project." These students are part of the Artemis generation and they are helping fulfil NASA'S mission needs today, while developing relevant hands-on experience that will prepare them for aerospace careers after graduation.

1. What are the university teams supposed to do?

A．Explore the mystery of space.	B．Participate in a competition.
C．Develop technologies to study the moon.	D．Challenge NASA'S Artemis program.

2. What does the underlined word "grants" in Paragraph 4 most probably mean?

A．Aid.

B．Funds.

C．Tests.

D．Chances.

3. When will the students' achievements probably be first put into use?

A．2020.

B．2023.

C．2024.

D．2028,

4. How can the students benefit from the project?

A．They can land on the moon

B．They can get paid while doing the job.

C．They can work In NASA after graduation.

D．They can gain experience for their future aerospace careers.

8 . My husband sat down on the bed. “Your ________ are complete ridiculous, Denise. These gifts don’t have to be perfect. The kids don’t care.”

I ________ him and kept wrapping the gifts. Each boy needed to have his own paper, and each gift ________ to be wrapped perfectly. Actually, I always ________to do everything perfectly. I suspected my entire family lived in ________ of my standards. I told myself I was just taking care of my family, but in reality I knew my ________ perfectionism wasn't doing us any good. I knew I needed to ________.

Two days later, my husband and I took our two older boys on a ________ to Matamoros, Mexico. We were going to participate in a(n) ________ known as the" Big Feed", where we'd be working in a field with strangers.

Upon arriving, we sat down and listened to the director, Ben, give his ________ about the event. “We won't stay inside although it's raining. And I have something that'll ________ that all of you stay flexible.” He ________ a small piece of cookie to each of us. “This is the Flexi-cookie. You eat it and you ________ will be flexible. Now let’s eat this cookie together.”

It tasted so ordinary, but it ________ magical ways. I worked alongside my family for two long days in a ________ field. We handed out supplies and ________ for several thousand people. My sons played games with the other children all day in the rain, and I never once ________ them up. I learned to be flexible.

Later, I muttered(嘀咕)"Fexi, Flexi" throughout the day, ________ myself that I needed to be less ________. I cannot say I've totally overcome my perfectionism, but I've made enough ________.

1.

A．attitudes

B．beliefs

C．principles

D．standards

2.

A．blamed

B．abandoned

C．ignored

D．teased

3.

A．had

B．requested

C．happened

D．asked

4.

A．agreed

B．attempted

C．failed

D．refused

5.

A．order

B．fear

C．place

D．support

6.

A．stubborn

B．curious

C．generous

D．normal

7.

A．flee

B．withdraw

C．change

D．recover

8.

A．routine

B．diet

C．dilemma

D．journey

9.

A．event

B．adventure

C．lecture

D．ceremony

10.

A．speech

B．review

C．writing

D．guess

11.

A．explain

B．guarantee

C．witness

D．assume

12.

A．showed off

B．took in

C．mixed up

D．passed out

13.

A．improperly

B．certainly

C．rarely

D．unwillingly

14.

A．occurred

B．counted

C．worked

D．mattered

15.

A．muddy

B．broad

C．comfortable

D．smooth

16.

A．prepared

B．stood

C．waited

D．cooked

17.

A．fixed

B．picked

C．brought

D．cleaned

18.

A．convincing

B．reminding

C．warning

D．promising

19.

A．patient

B．conservative

C．rigid

D．careful

20.

A．marks

B．equipment

C．progress

D．differences

9 . When I woke up last week, I looked out of the window and saw nothing but white snow. It wasn't a _________ ； for days the weathermen had been _________ the winter storm. In the past years I had shoveled（铲）snow without too much _________ , but this year the task seemed challenging as I had just had back surgery（外科手术）.

But when I looked out of the _________ again, I was surprised to see my young neighbor Gray clearing my walkways. I couldn't _________ it. I knew my neighbors well, but we didn't often socialize. I fixed a cup of coffee and took it to the back door. When I opened the door, Gray _________ his work and accepted the hot cup gratefully. Clearing snow actually wasn't a（n） _________ job because on the top of the snow was a solid sheet of ice, making the walkways and streets not _________ to walk on. However, that didn't stop Gray； he worked hard until the job was finished. I _________ to thank him, but he said it was nothing and drove to his office. His wife Cathy also left for her job.

What could I do to repay his __________ ? I decided to make a big pot of soup. Cathy would not have to prepare the meal when she came home from __________ on such a cold day.

But the street was still __________ ， and I couldn't deliver the soup to them safely. So when I saw Cathy come home, I __________ and told her I had some soup for them. When she came over to __________ the soup, she seemed as grateful as I felt when I saw her husband shoveling snow off my walkways.

Now I am constantly looking for ways of __________ others. Gray had started a chain reaction in my soul. By helping me out without being asked, he sparked（激发）a similar feeling within me.

1.

A．problem

B．surprise

C．threat

D．dream

2.

A．preventing

B．remembering

C．recording

D．forecasting

3.

A．effort

B．interest

C．skill

D．effect

4.

A．kitchen

B．window

C．yard

D．garden

5.

A．make

B．believe

C．get

D．take

6.

A．chose

B．continued

C．stopped

D．finished

7.

A．challenging

B．easy

C．boring

D．important

8.

A．solid

B．safe

C．rough

D．difficult

9.

A．pretended

B．agreed

C．tried

D．hoped

10.

A．respect

B．friendship

C．kindness

D．duty

11.

A．shopping

B．work

C．school

D．exercise

12.

A．wide

B．noisy

C．clean

D．icy

13.

A．called

B．visited

C．left

D．appeared

14.

A．seek for

B．throw away

C．look at

D．pick up

15.

A．helping

B．hugging

C．praising

D．accepting

10 . The Biggest Stadiums in the World

People have been pouring into stadiums since the days of ancient Greece. In around 80 A.D., the Romans built the Colosseum, which remains the world’s best known stadium and continues to inform contemporary design. Rome’s Colosseum was 157 feet tall and had 80 entrances, seating 50,000 people. However, that was small fry compared with the city’s Circus Maximus, which accommodated around 250,000 people.

These days, safety regulations-not to mention the modern sports fan’s desire for a good view and comfortable seat — tend to keep stadium capacities (容量) slightly lower. Even soccer fans tend to have a seat each; gone are the days of thousands standing to watch the match.

For the biggest stadiums in the world, we have used data supplied by the World Atlas list so far, which ranks them by their stated permanent capacity, as well as updated information from official stadium websites.

All these stadiums are still functional, still open and still hosting the biggest events in world sport.

·Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, Pyongyang D.P.R. Korea. Capacity: 150,000. Opened: May 1,1989.

·Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U. S. Capacity: 107,601. Opened: October 1, 1927.

·Beaver Stadium, State College, Pennsylvania, U. S. Capacity: 106,572. Opened: September 17, 1960.

·Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, U. S. Capacity: 104,944. Opened: October 7,1922.

·Kyle Field, College Station, Texas, U. S. Capacity: 102,512. Opened: September 24, 1927.

1. How many people could the Circus Maximus hold?

A．104,944.

B．107,601.

C．About 150,000.

D．About 250,000.

2. Of the following stadiums, which is the oldest?

A．Michigan Stadium.

B．Beaver Stadium.

C．Ohio Stadium.

D．Kyle Field.

3. What do the listed stadiums have in common?

A．They host big games.	B．They have become tourist attractions.
C．They were built by Americans.	D．They are favored by architects.