1 . It was a February afternoon in a Brooklyn classroom. Sixteen-year-old Taylor Engler came face to face with a cow. But it was all in her head. She was transported by a virtual reality (VR) headphone. It took the Berkeley Carroll School junior and eight other classmates to a northern New York farm. The farm was 250 miles away. For students, the technology means field trips are no longer kept within the length of a bus ride.
It's unknown how many classrooms have or will use the technology, but experts say few classrooms do or will do. Headphones that require a user's phone can cost as little as $20 or $30, but systems and software for classes run into thousands of dollars. The problem of not having good software is disappearing as more companies enter the market. But the rules for use haven't kept abreast of the development of the technology. In New York, for example, virtual reality lab experiments are not included in the state's hands-on lab time requirements.
Experts say science classes are where virtual reality holds promise for classrooms. “The biggest problem, I think, is going to be how closely it mimics the real world." That's according to David Evans, the director of the National Science Teachers Union. However, he said, “The ability to do dangerous things and to run many, many more cases in a virtual space as opposed to the real physical space stands for a huge learning chance.”
Lamb taught chemistry and he agreed. “Too often in schools, when you do experiments in labs, you mix these together, you mix those together and you get this result. And if you don't get that result, you have done something wrong. But we don't have enough resources for you to redo it, “he said. “In virtual reality, all I do is hit reset on the computer. I don't have to actually use chemicals.”
1. What was Taylor Engler doing?| A．Riding a bus. | B．Giving a lesson. | C．Designing a farm. | D．Experiencing VR. |
| A．Led to. | B．Focused on. | C．Caught up with. | D．Broken away from. |
| A．Helpful. | B．Troublesome. | C．Interesting. | D．Challenging. |
| A．To point out the importance of practice. | B．To introduce the use of VR in teaching. |
| C．To give information about modern schools. | D．To show the appearance of VR technology. |
2 . We’ve had waves of panic around technology for decades, whether it is comic books or video games. Now it happens to be social media. And the fact of the matter is that parents and teachers, who are trying to raise their kids in the face of these panics, are being poorly served by the government when it comes to getting meaningful advice.
It's not that social media is good or bad for people. It's that the science of social media and mental health is broken. We need to do research, but we shouldn’t be approaching it from the perspective that the world is ending. We need to be curious and open to the possibility of its effects, positive and negative.
The danger for policymakers or parents is that if you pretend that social media is a problem, without having evidence, and you take steps to regulate it, the intervention (妨碍）could end up being really bad for young people. You might be taking away a lifeline for vulnerable (脆弱的) kids or free them of their human right to play, which is morally reprehensible（受谴责的) at the best of times, let alone during a pandemic.
So that's why I'm not going to tell you that I know social media is bad. It's perfectly reasonable for parents and teachers to be concerned about social media, but it's unavoidable and young people are going to encounter it sooner or later. So what would you rather do: keep them in the dark and leave them ill-equipped to deal with it or let them learn about social media with your help and support? It's a little like learning to ride a bike. Bikes can be huge fun to ride, but you can also hurt yourself on them, which is why you don't just give your kid a bike and a helmet and wish them good luck. You help them learn to ride. Similarly, you're not asking your 14-year-old daughter to choose between telling you someone scary is messaging her or losing her phone. You need to treat it like anything else that can hurt you, but can also connect you.
1. What does this wave of panic refer to now according to the passage ?| A．Technology | B．Comic books | C．Video games | D．Social media |
| A．Give them some instructions |
| B．Ask the experts for help |
| C．Go to the special treatment center |
| D．Free them of their human right to play |
| A．Doubtful | B．Supportive | C．Neutral | D．Indifferent |
| A．Parents should let children learn about social media on their own. |
| B．The world is ending as a result of the negative effects of social meaia. |
| C．Parents should be cautious when regulating children’s using social media. |
| D．Parents are advised not to give kids helmets when they learn to ride a bike. |
3 . “Don’t be a helicopter parent.” This message has been repeated frequently and others try to encourage parents to back off their kids and give them greater space and freedom to explore. But it doesn't actually tell parents how they should act. What kind of parenting style should be adopted in place of the overprotectiveness of helicoptering?
One possible answer is, “Be a lifeguard parent.” That means sitting apart from the action and keeping an eye on everything that’s going on, ready to jump in if needed. This was brought up by Dr. Mariana Brussoni, a developmental psychologist at the University of British Columbia and Richard Monette, editor-in-chief of Active for Life. They think life guarding should include three parts.
Open attention is the stage parents should be in most of the time, showing a caring interest in what kids are doing, but keeping their physical distance and remaining non — intrusive (不介入的). Focused attention is when a parent perceives (察觉) warning signs and becomes more alert. Maybe it’s time to check in with the child to see how they’re doing. It might be a good opportunity to help the child think through their actions, rather than directing them. Most of the time, play goes back to being safe and the parent can return to open attention. Active intervention is when a parent needs to step in to reduce immediate risk. A child might not realize they’re close to the edge of a busy road or deep water, so the parent has to ensure their safety.
Brussoni says most of a parent's time should be spent in open attention. Days could pass，without ever entering focused attention. Active intervention should be extremely rare. It’s crucial to avoid telling kids to be careful all the time. This sends a message that the child can’t do things without parental assistance.
No one said parenting was easy, but it can be less unbearable if you let go of some control, teach your kids to do things independently, and trust them to self — regulate. Everyone comes out happier in the end.
1. Why is helicopter parent mentioned in paragraph 1?| A．Warn parents not to overprotect kids. |
| B．Introduce another parenting approach. |
| C．Remind parents to give kids more freedom. |
| D．Make a comparison between two parenting styles. |
| A．Accompany kids as little as possible. |
| B．Tell kids to be aware whatever they are doing. |
| C．Direct kids when they are climbing a thin branch. |
| D．Urge kids to leave a heavy traffic road immediately. |
| A．Parenting has been the toughest job since ancient times. |
| B．Allowing parents to self-regulate may be of great benefit |
| C．Less control may lead to a harmonious parent-child relationship. |
| D．Child should be taught to things all by themselves to grow up. |
| A．Don’t Be a Helicopter Parent. | B．Teach Kids to Identify Risks. |
| C．How to Guarantee Kids’ Safety. | D．Strive to Be a Lifeguard Parent. |
4 . Several months ago I volunteered at a hospital. One day I was assigned to discharge(安排出院） a patient. She happened to be a physically and mentally
As I was
Then, as I came to the area where family and friends
I was
It took me days to comprehend what I'd failed to understand when I was evaluating the young woman and her father. Now I know the true
| A．healthy | B．talented | C．disabled | D．tired |
| A．obviously | B．probably | C．extremely | D．absolutely |
| A．accept | B．express | C．overcome | D．tell |
| A．leaving | B．stopping | C．wheeling | D．running |
| A．help | B．admit | C．allow | D．mind |
| A．happy | B．bored | C．disappointed | D．proud |
| A．discussion | B．hope | C．direction | D．care |
| A．look after | B．deal with | C．see off | D．pick up |
| A．cried | B．smiled | C．shouted | D．jumped |
| A．prepare | B．afford | C．wait | D．expect |
| A．satisfied | B．amazed | C．pleased | D．frightened |
| A．arrived | B．required | C．disappeared | D．happened |
| A．opinions | B．attitudes | C．forms | D．impressions |
| A．importance | B．strategy | C．meaning | D．ability |
| A．adventures | B．achievements | C．processes | D．shortcomings |
5 . On November 7, Lewis Pugh completed a one-kilometer swim in the freezing waters of King Edward Cove, off South Georgia in Antarctica. He was wearing only his swimming glasses, cap and Speedo !
Pugh is an advocate for our oceans and seas, working to protect these ecosystems with their large diversity of marine life. When asked why he doesn't wear a wetsuit(防寒泳衣), Pugh says, "I ask world leaders to do everything they can to protect our oceans. Sometimes the steps they need to take are difficult and unpopular. If I'm asking them to be courageous, I must also be. Swimming in a wetsuit would not send the right message."
It took Pugh about 19 minutes to complete the one-kilometer swim in Antarctica where the water averaged about 1.6 degrees Celsius. He says that his body can only tolerate about 20 minutes in the freezing waters before it starts shutting down. As he swims, his body temperature steadily drops, which in turn causes his muscle control to drop, slowing him down. When he is done with his swim, his support team rushes him to a hot shower and it takes almost an hour for his body temperature to return to normal.
Doctors and Pugh caution that one must receive months of training to swim in such cold waters. Even expert swimmers who are unused to freezing water can drown within minutes because of the physical shock experienced by the body. Pugh says he trained for six months before this swim.
This is not the first time that Pugh has swum in dangerous conditions. In 2007, he swam one kilometer in the North Pole to draw attention to the melting Arctic ice due to climate change. In 2015, he swam in the Bay of Whales in Antarctica's Ross Sea as part of his successful campaign to help set up a marine reserve there.
1. Why did Lewis Pugh swim without a wetsuits ?| A．To show his bravery. |
| B．To swim faster. |
| C．To build up his body. |
| D．To have overnight fame. |
| A．His body temperature. |
| B．His body |
| C．The water. |
| D．The water temperature. |
| A．One should be expert at swimming. |
| B．One must be used to long-distance swimming. |
| C．One should be ready to take on challenges. |
| D．One must be adequately prepared for it. |
| A．Lewis Pugh: achieving the impossible |
| B．How to survive a swim in cold waters |
| C．Lewis Pugh: swimming for a cause |
| D．How to prepare for extreme swimming |
6 . Irma started a business, but later because of lack money, he had to close it. After that he started to feel very
This problem of Irma was later
"Of course, not all my efforts have been wasted; so it is with yours. If you
It is true that no matter what we try, we can't
| A．scared | B．depressed | C．shocked | D．determined |
| A．discovered | B．analyzed | C．valued | D．complained |
| A．wished | B．encouraged | C．invited | D．permitted |
| A．interested | B．determined | C．committed | D．annoyed |
| A．recognized | B．wasted | C．acknowledged | D．ignored |
| A．mailed | B．returned | C．showed | D．indicated |
| A．but | B．so | C．or | D．and |
| A．unusual | B．unfortunate | C．unforgettable | D．unexpected |
| A．importance | B．purpose | C．advantage | D．theory |
| A．strong | B．new | C．weak | D．regular |
| A．avoid | B．consider | C．keep | D．enjoy |
| A．options | B．chances | C．features | D．virtues |
| A．reward | B．property | C．money | D．harvest |
| A．pointed out | B．figured out | C．left out | D．gave out |
| A．replace | B．select | C．control | D．indicate |
7 . The Torch Festival (火把节) is a traditional festival which is celebrated among some ethnic groups in southwestern China, such as the Yi, Bai, Hani, Lisu, and Lahu, etc. It usually falls on the 24th or 25th of June, with three days of celebrations. The festival came from worship (崇拜) of fire by ancestors (祖先). For some ethnic groups, it’s a tradition in the festival for elders to share farming experience with young people and educate them about taking care of crops.
During the festival, big torches are made to stand in all villages, with small torches placed in front of the door of each house. When night falls, the torches are lit and the villages are bright. At the same time, people walk around the fields and houses, holding small torches and placing the torches in the field corners. Inside the villages, young people are singing and dancing around the big torches that keep burning throughout the night. Other activities like horse races are also held during the festival.
In a horse race of the Yi people in Yunnan, torches are used to form hurdles for riders to get through. The Hani people in Yunnan traditionally tie fruits to torches with strings. When the strings are broken after the torches are lit, people struggle for the fruits for good luck.
For the Lisu people in Sichuan, the festival is an occasion for holding torch parades. Big torches are carried by teams of people, which is like a fire dragon. If different teams meet, it’s a tradition to exchange the big torches with one another.
1. What can we know about the Torch Festival from the first paragraph?| A．It has nothing to do with farming. |
| B．Its celebrations usually last two days. |
| C．It is a traditional festival of all China. |
| D．It is a festival to show worship of fire. |
| A．ancestors. | B．young people. |
| C．elders. | D．ethnic groups. |
| A．Why the festival is enjoyed. | B．Where the festival is celebrated. |
| C．How the festival is celebrated. | D．What torches are used for the festival. |
| A．Holding torch parades. | B．Tying fruits to torches with strings. |
| C．Struggling for fruits for good luck. | D．Using torches as hurdles for a horse race. |
8 . Arriving in Sydney on his own from India, my husband, Rashid, stayed in a hotel for a short time while looking for a house for me and our children.
During the first week of his stay, he went out one day to do some shopping. He came back in the late afternoon to discover that his suitcase was gone. He was extremely worried as the suitcase had all his important papers, including his passport.
He reported the case to the police and then sat there, lost and lonely in a strange city, thinking of the terrible troubles of getting all the paperwork organized again from a distant country while trying to settle down in a new one.
Late in the evening, the phone rang. It was a stranger. He was trying to pronounce my husband’s name and was asking him a lot of questions. Then he said they had found a pile of papers in their trash can(垃圾桶) that had been left out on the footpath.
My husband rushed to their home to find a kind family holding all his papers and documents. Their young daughter had gone to the trash can and found a pile of unfamiliar papers. Her parents had carefully sorted them out, although they had found mainly foreign addresses on most of the documents. At last they had seen a half-written letter in the pile in which my husband had given his new telephone number to a friend.
That family not only restored the important documents to us that day but also restored our faith and trust in people. We still remember their kindness and often send a warm wish their way.
1. What did Rashid plan to do after his arrival in Sydney?| A．Go shopping | B．Find a house |
| C．Join his family | D．Take a vacation |
| A．a friend of his family | B．a Sydney policeman |
| C．a letter in his papers | D．a stranger in Sydney |
| A．Showed | B．Sent out |
| C．Delivered | D．Gave back |
| A．From India to Australia. | B．Living in a New Country |
| C．Turning Trash to Treasure. | D．In Search of New Friends. |
9 . Ten years ago I used to be very fit (健康的). I rode a bike to work and I got a lot of exercise at weekends. I used to play tennis a lot and go for long walks. In those days I didn’t earn very much. I had a job in an office. It wasn’t a very good job but I had a lot of time to do the things I enjoyed doing.
Then, about eight years ago, I got a much better job. The pay was better, but the hours were a lot longer. I bought a car and drove to work every day. I began to take people out to lunch. And I began to put on weight, too. I stopped playing tennis and going for long walks at weekends because I just didn’t have any time for things like that any more.
There’s a lot of stress (压力) in my job. Perhaps that’s why I started drinking more than I used to. For example, I used to have only half a glass of whisky when I got home, but then I started filling my glass to the top, and instead of having one glass, I would have several. I started smoking a lot, too. I never used to smoke at all.
Two months ago I had a heart attack. At first I just couldn’t believe it. Luckily it wasn’t very serious. The doctor advised me to stop smoking and to eat less. He also advised me to work less and get more exercise. But I just haven’t any time! My job takes everything out of me!
Sometimes I wonder if I should get another job. Perhaps I could do something like I used to do. But if I do that, I won’t earn as much. I have a family to support. I have to think of them, too. I just don’t know what I should do. What do you think?
1. Compared with ten years ago, what is worse for the author now?| A．His job. | B．His pay. |
| C．His means of transport. | D．His health. |
| A．He got higher pay. |
| B．His working hours weren’t long. |
| C．He found it very stressful. |
| D．He had little free time at weekends. |
| A．not to work any longer |
| B．to take a long vacation abroad |
| C．to stop smoking and take exercise |
| D．not to eat out any more |
| A．The author is not sure what he should do now. |
| B．The author has taken the doctor’s advice. |
| C．The author has got another new job. |
| D．The author feels much better now. |
