1 . As I stood outside the stadium on that bitter February day, I had no idea of the
Nine months earlier, I had
When Jimmy and I entered the stadium, we
Last July I received a letter from an artist in Ottawa. He had been
The
A.warmth | B.doubt | C.challenge | D.praise |
A.cash | B.check | C.card | D.sign |
A.deal | B.connect | C.argue | D.withdraw |
A.brought up | B.taken possession of | C.given birth to | D.attended to |
A.Unexpectedly | B.Normally | C.Gradually | D.Obviously |
A.hosting | B.winning | C.missing | D.losing |
A.canceled | B.took | C.hooked | D.exchanged |
A.rigid | B.formal | C.tough | D.stable |
A.envy | B.owe | C.wish | D.lend |
A.reacted | B.devoted | C.linked | D.attached |
A.reminded | B.assigned | C.allowed | D.forced |
A.fuel | B.realize | C.form | D.desert |
A.patient | B.stubborn | C.upset | D.proud |
A.strengths | B.daring | C.commitment | D.solutions |
A.origin | B.control | C.impact | D.match |
2 . Exploring unmapped territory on the moon could soon be as easy as slipping on a backpack. NASA researchers designed a new high-tech pack for navigating(给引航)unknown territories in outer space.
The backpack uses a remote-sensing mapping system to create high-resolution(高分辨)3-D maps that astronauts could use to explore the southernmost point on the moon according to a statement. NASA’s dynamic technology is like the technology used by smart cars to alert their drivers of potential collisions(碰撞).
“Basically, the sensor is a surveying tool for both navigation and science mapping, able to create ultra-high-resolution 3-D maps at centimeter-level precision and give them a rich scientific context,”tells Michael Zanetti, a scientist. “It will also help ensure the safety of astronauts and rover vehicles in a GPS-denied environment such as the Moon by identifying actual distances to far-off landmarks and showing explorers in real time how far they’ve come and how far is left.”
NASA plans to have astronauts return to the moon by 2025. The team is set to land near the lunar south pole because previous evidence suggests that the area may contain subsurface water ice. Part of the reason astronauts would need a GPS tracking backpack is because the area on the moon’s south pole is shrouded by shadows, making it difficult for space explorers to estimate distances on the moon.
Next, NASA is working on bringing the backpack’s weight and size down. Currently. It weighs 40 pounds, but the team hopes that the tech could be small enough to fit on an astronaut’s helmet.
1. What are Michael Zanetti’s words mainly about?A.The working principle of the backpack. | B.The challenges of the backpack. |
C.The shortcomings of the backpack. | D.The development of the backpack. |
A.Mixed. | B.Reduced. | C.Covered. | D.Separated. |
A.Make the backpack cheaper. | B.Make the backpack more accurate. |
C.Make the backpack more fashionable. | D.Make the backpack lighter and smaller. |
A.A travel journal. | B.A science magazine. |
C.An impressive novel. | D.A personal notebook. |
3 . The next time San Franciscans take a cab, they may step into a driverless car. Last week, the CaliforniaPublic Utilities Commission gave a permit to Cruise, the self-driving vehicle subsidiary(附带的)of General Motors (GM), which allows Cruise to charge for rides in its autonomous cars.
Though Cruise sees the permit as a big win, its self-driving cars aren’t free to meander(蜿蜒前行)the streets as they please. It can operate just 30 autonomous vehicles without a safety driver and can only charge for rides between 10 p. m. and 6 a. m. outside of the busy downtown. No autonomous taxi rides are allowed when there’s heavy rain, fog or snow. And shared rides aren’t allowed.
Cruise’s technology is made up of a series of sensors and cameras built into an electric car made by GM. Cruise has also announced plans for a car of their own, the Cruise Origin. The Origin lacks pedals, mirrors, a steering wheel and consists mostly of a sitting space where passengers can face each other.
Supporters of self-driving vehicles say the technology has the potential to reduce traffic deaths and injuries, save money and lower the environmental impact of cars. But not everyone is convinced that autonomous cars are ready. Many remain concerned about safety.
It remains to be seen how the driverless taxi will play out in San Francisco. But based on the vast number of companies racing to develop autonomous vehicles and the tens of thousands of people on waitlists for robotaxi rides, the Cruise pilot program is sure to be popular.
1. What can we learn about Cruise’s self-driving cars?A.They can go wherever they like. |
B.They can be shared by customers. |
C.They can only go on street in fine weather. |
D.They can charge for rides anytime. |
A.Cost. | B.Safety. | C.Pollution. | D.Traffic jam. |
A.Positive. | B.Negative. | C.Confused. | D.Disappointed. |
A.Cruise’s driverless cars are getting popularity. |
B.Cruise was allowed to sell its driverless cars. |
C.Cruise’s driverless cars were allowed to go on streets. |
D.Cruise was qualified to charge for rides in its driverless cars. |
4 . Siddharth Mandala, 18, the inventor of ElectroShoe—a device that enables the user to electrocute(电击)an offender and alarm the nearby police station and friends of their location, using Wi-Fi-has been a hit.
This inventor was inspired into action when he accompanied his mother to the Nirbhaya rallies(集会)in Hyderabad at 12. The streets, thick with anger, had his mind ticking, “There had to be a better way. Women may forget to carry pepper spray or other self-defence tools, but everyone puts on shoes.”
It took him two years to come up with the model, using social media to reach out to those who could help him. Mandala was awarded a letter of appreciation by the government of Telangana for his invention in May 2017.
Siddharth believes technology can truly change the quality of our lives. He launched Cognizance Welfare Initiative (CWI) two years ago to teach coding to students and helped them build microcontroller projects such as a GPS tracking system to locate their friends in danger areas.
The Hyderabad-based CWI inspires children to use science to enable them to create solutions for their communities, works to spread awareness about violence and conducts book drives, educates communities on water pollution and helps children improve their reading skills. So far CWI has taught over 500 children and plans to expand to two more villages. Mandala is now working with his friends on developing a programme to identify malignant melanoma(恶性黑素瘤)with a phone camera.
1. What inspired Siddharth Mandala to make the invention of ElectroShoe?A.A trip to Hyderabad. | B.Women his met in Hyderabad. |
C.His mother’s encouragement. | D.Bad experience with his friends. |
A.Fighting against air pollution. | B.Teaching coding to poor students. |
C.Developing a new programme. | D.Improving children’s writing skills. |
A.Brave and kind. | B.Caring and creative. |
C.Gentle and honest. | D.Friendly and generous. |
A.A Saving-energy Invention | B.A Programme Helping People |
C.A Trip Changing a Man’s Life | D.An Inspiring Young Inventor |
5 . Long Island’s local theaters have long pulled from Broadway’s talent pool, providing unique opportunities to see incredible performances. The Long Island theatre culture sets the stage for new works and classic theaters. We’ve rounded up the best spots for you.
The Suffolk Theater
The Suffolk Theater brings a broad range of artists to its stage from Country to Comedy and Classical. Their shows for the holiday season include Top of the World: A Carpenters Christmas on December 2, WLNG’s Rockabilly Christmas! on December 9, Rockapella Christmas on December 11 and The Suffolk 54 New Years Eve! on December 31.
John W. Engeman Theater
The John W. Engeman Theater is a year-round professional theater that casts its actors directly from the Broadway talent pool. This holiday season, their main stage show is the beloved tale, A Christmas Story. Their winter children’s shows include Frosty from November 26 to December 31 and Frozen Jr. from February 4 to March 5.
Studio Theatre Long Island
Studio Theatre Long Island is one of Long Island’s oldest theaters. It is putting on a production of Scrooge the Musical running through December 18 for their main stage performance and Frosty and His Puppet Pals, from November 26 to December 31 for their children’s theatre performance.
ThinkBIG! Theater Arts
ThinkBIG! is a non-profit theater arts company offering community and school programs and performances for young audiences. This holiday season, their fall acting classes are taking place at Gigi’s Playhouse in Patchogue. And their traveling’ trunk show is Long Island’s only interactive children’s show where kids from the audience star in the show!
1. When will WLNG’s Rockabilly Christmas be on?A.On December 2. | B.On December 9. |
C.On December 11. | D.On December 31. |
A.The Suffolk Theater. | B.John W. Engeman Theater. |
C.Studio Theatre Long Island. | D.ThinkBIG! Theater Arts. |
A.To educate. | B.To argue. | C.To introduce. | D.To persuade. |
6 . I was having lunch at a bar. Then I saw a
Then it
I
A quarter later, after
I watched as she read the note. Her eyes
A.girl | B.waitress | C.cook | D.patient |
A.reflect | B.avoid | C.appreciate | D.hide |
A.forgot | B.proved | C.sensed | D.claimed |
A.contact | B.look | C.thought | D.search |
A.happy | B.curious | C.nervous | D.calm |
A.great | B.simple | C.busy | D.tough |
A.depended on | B.went against | C.occurred to | D.impressed on |
A.prevented | B.allowed | C.signaled | D.expected |
A.afraid | B.uncertain | C.proud | D.unaware |
A.mind | B.smile | C.case | D.action |
A.eating | B.reading | C.checking | D.recovering |
A.instructed | B.told | C.reminded | D.warned |
A.awarded | B.returned | C.wrote | D.presented |
A.ran | B.fell | C.turned | D.got |
A.left | B.approached | C.brightened | D.swept |
7 . Web 1.0 is often referred to as a “read-only Internet”. All its content was created by webmasters. Users could not interact with the content or add content themselves.
In the age of Web 2.0, the Internet became interactive. Websites allowed users to communicate with each other. So Web 2.0 is also known as the Social Web. Web 2.0 led to a big jump in technology development. It changes the way we work, socialize, create and share information and ideas. In Web 2.0, while users can create content, they don’t own it and cannot control it. The platforms can easily block or remove the content without the permission of the creators.
So Web 3.0 is coming. Web 3.0 is a concept of a new generation of the Internet. In contrast to Web 2.0, where most of the data is stored in corporations, such as Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, etc., Web 3.0 data will be decentralized (分散). Web 3.0 will create platforms that nobody controls but everyone can confirm.
Let’s see what important changes we may expect. No third party is required. For instance, the use of cryptocurrencies (加密货币) ends the need for banks because all financial deals take place directly between the two parties using cryptocurrency. In addition, Web 3.0 will make it much more difficult for Internet attackers to access sensitive information. Besides, Web 3.0 makes businesses directly accountable to their consumers. Businesses may apply this openness to their consumers to develop relationships of trust and loyalty. Plus, the information is accurate since data saved on blockchains (区块链) cannot be changed.
The new Internet promises to build a “global village”, a world focused on interpersonal interaction throughout the world, which will contribute both to the development of technology and business, and the promotion of personal happiness.
1. What is the disadvantage of Web 2.0?A.Users are controlled by platforms. |
B.Users can’t interact with each other. |
C.It’s difficult for users to collect information. |
D.It’s impossible for users to rewrite information. |
A.It will become busier. | B.It will be inconvenient. |
C.It will be really tough. | D.It will be much safer. |
A.It will center on the study of the globe. |
B.It will help every country to build more villages. |
C.It will make efforts to develop the world agriculture. |
D.It will narrow the distance between humans on Earth. |
A.The Coming Web 3.0 | B.The Ages of Social Web |
C.The Famous Internet Giants | D.The Diverse Cultural Global Village |
8 . Arbor Day traces its origins to Nebraska City, Nebraska, in 1872. Julius Sterling Morton, who served as Secretary of the Nebraska Territory, recognized the importance of trees, especially in a place like Nebraska, which was almost free of trees at the time. On January 4, 1872, Morton proposed the idea of a tree-planting holiday to the State Board of Agriculture. The board agreed, and the first Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10, 1872. More than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on that day.
The success of the first Arbor Day led to its yearly observance in Nebraska, and other states in the U.S. soon followed suit. In 1885, Arbor Day was declared a legal holiday in Nebraska, and April 22, Morton’s birthday, was chosen as the official date. The idea of Arbor Day spread rapidly across the country. By the 1920s, each state in the United States had established its own Arbor Day. Presently, they have different celebration dates depending on the best tree-planting season for each region.
Arbor Day has become an international event. Today, many countries around the world celebrate their own Arbor Day or a similar tree-planting holiday. While the celebrations in different countries vary in customs, all share a common goal: to promote the importance of trees and encourage their planting and preservation.
In present days, Arbor Day continues to be a powerful reminder of our responsibility to care for the planet and appreciate the invaluable role that trees play in our lives. Arbor Day helps to ensure that future generations can enjoy a greener, healthier world.
Whether you’re a die-hard tree lover or just starting to appreciate their beauty and importance, take a moment to plant a tree, or simply give your local leafy friend a hug. They deserve it!
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?A.The birth of Arbor Day. | B.The definition of Arbor Day. |
C.The celebration of Arbor Day. | D.The significance of Arbor Day. |
A.It varies based on local conditions. |
B.It didn’t have an official date until 1920. |
C.It was first celebrated on the creator’s birthday. |
D.It was changed to April 10 by Nebraska State Board. |
A.To share customs among countries. | B.To value trees and plant more trees. |
C.To find out existed issues on the planet. | D.To have a good knowledge of plant diversity. |
A.Make a reminder. | B.Call on an action. |
C.Encourage a discussion. | D.Instruct how to make choices. |
9 . The Caribbean is known for its beautiful beaches, clear water, and laid-back lifestyle. But for one man, the pleasant place quickly turned into a nightmare. Elvis Francois, 47, was found about 140 miles from Colombia’s Puerto Bolívar on Jan. 16th after a plane spotted the word “HELP” carved on Francois’ sailboat.
“I have been lost at sea for 24 days. I had just a bottle of ketchup (果酱) that was on the boat,” Francois said in a video recorded by his rescuers. Francois, who is originally from the island of Dominica, said that he had been making repairs to his boat off the coast of Saint Martin in December when bad weather conditions pulled the boat out to distant sea.
He explained that he lacked the navigational (导航) skills lo direct himself back to shore, so his weeks-long ordeal began. Francois said, “I called my friends and coworkers. They tried to contact me, but they lost service. There was nothing else I could do but sit down and wait.” Over the 24-day period, Francois used a cloth to collect rainwater. He spent his time trying to keep water out of his sailboat and attempting to attract attention by lighting a fire, which failed. “Twenty-four days — no land, nobody to talk to. Don’t know what to do, don’t know where you are. It was rough,” he said. “At a certain time, I lost hope. I thought about my family.”
After he was finally rescued by the Coast Guard, Francois was taken to the Colombian port city of Cartagena for medical treatment. According to CBS News, Colombian Amy Commander Captain Carlos Urano Montes said that they found Francois “to be in good health”, though he had lost a bit of weight. Then, Francois spoke to Colombian authorities about his experience and worked with immigration officials to arrange his trip back home to Dominica.
1. What contributed to Francois’ being discovered?A.The clear seawater. | B.The calls he made to a plane. |
C.The sign for help on his boat. | D.The signals he sent to nearby ships. |
A.A fishing task. | B.His poor sailing skills. |
C.His damaged boat. | D.The terrible weather. |
A.Hardship. | B.Research. | C.Survival. | D.Exploration. |
A.History. | B.News. | C.Travel. | D.Science. |
10 . For children, space is magical — a whole world is out there, with so many things to learn and stories to read. Here are some children’s books about space and the solar system.
Mae among the Stars by Stasia Burrington
This beautifully illustrated picture book is attractive to young kids. It was inspired by the first African American woman in space, Mae Jemison. It tells the story of Mae as a little girl, who always knew she had big dreams about space. This is a great addition to a young kid’s collection, as a reminder to hold tight to dreams and never give up.
Space by Libby Jackson
This beautifully illustrated book gives kids a look at 50 women from around the world who were involved in exploring space in some way, from the 19th century to the present day. This is a perfect gift for young kids who want to know more about some of the lesser-known scientific achievements related to space exploration.
Chasing Space by Leland Melvin
This is Melvin’s story about being a football player-turned-astronaut, along with his recovery from an injury that nearly left him deaf. Kids will love reading his story about how he faced challenges and advanced ahead, and he also includes DIY experiments for kids to try, and a section of full-color photographs.
System and Beyond by David A. Aguilar
The book is full of beautiful illustrations of space, and is perfect for kids of all ages, exploring various planets and the solar system. Unlike other kids’ space book, this is a National Geographic book written and illustrated by an award-winning astronomer and space artist. Aguilar is also the former Director of Science Information and Public Outreach at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
1. What do Mae among the Stars and Space have in common?A.They include less-known astronauts. | B.They tell about scientists’ childhood. |
C.They cover women exploring space. | D.They are suitable for children of all ages. |
A.Stasia Burrington’s. | B.Libby Jackson’s. |
C.Leland Melvin’s. | D.David A. Aguilar’s. |
A.It has beautiful pictures. | B.It tells about space artists. |
C.It has won many grand awards. | D.It was written by an astronomer. |