1 . I love travelling, but it hasn’t always been my passion. In my first year of university, I started to travel during the holiday. During the Christmas holiday I went to Paris, and during the spring vacation, I visited Athens and various cities in Italy. I was very excited because this was the first time I had travelled abroad with just my friends. This desire to travel started off simply as a way to have something to look forward to after exams, but I soon discovered how important it is to travel.
On my travels I have had the opportunity where I not only experience new and exciting cultures through the art, history, language and food, but also communicate with people who have different views on life. Travelling is a learning experience for both yourself and the people you meet. Some people I met during my travels had never heard of Gambia and it was very delightful to share my African roots with them. When you travel you will meet people who have different cultural backgrounds and as a result, sometimes your own ideas and opinions might be challenged. It’s important to learn to see things from other people’s perspectives (视角) and challenge your own.
This is how I realized that travelling is the realization of home. When you travel you can see a different setting, a different language and a different way of living.
Travelling is truly an enriching experience and I am always excited about the discoveries that wait for me in my next adventure!
1. Why was the author excited when he was in Italy?A.Because it was the first time for him to go abroad with friends. |
B.Because luckily he met his old friends there. |
C.Because he was attracted by the beauty of the country. |
D.Because he had never gone abroad before. |
A.He has chances to communicate with his family. |
B.He is curious to know why there are so many languages. |
C.He learns a lot in many ways from the people he meets. |
D.He shares his travelling experiences with foreign friends. |
A.The author is a student from America. |
B.The author’s roots probably are in Gambia. |
C.The author often has different opinions from others. |
D.The author knows nothing about African history. |
A.He will find out the exact location of his home. |
B.He will get familiar with a different way of living. |
C.He will make a summary of his exciting adventures. |
D.He will make preparations for his next wonderful trip. |
2 . At one time or another, we have all wished that our animals could speak to us. But our pets do use another form of communication to tell us what they are thinking — body language. Sometimes this form of communication is easy to understand, but in some instances it can be much more complex.
Animals communicate in a variety of ways using their ears, eyes, mouth, tail, degree of muscle tension and posture. When figuring out what an animal is trying to say to us, we have to look at their overall behavior as well as what the different parts of their body are doing. We also need to consider their environment and what may be causing them to act as they are.
A wagging (摇动的) tail, for example, doesn’t always mean a happy dog. If the dog’s tail is wagging at the same time that their body is loose and their owner has just gotten home, it’s safe to assume that this is a happy dog. If the dog’s tail is between their legs and wagging while their body is bending low, ears are pulled back and they are licking their lips, this dog is more anxious and fearful. Our pets’ body language doesn’t just send us messages; our own body language sends them messages, too. It’s important to avoid staring directly at an animal or approaching them head-on — they can interpret these actions as threatening. It’s best to approach them sideways and to use your peripheral vision to look at them. Instead of leaning over an animal or reaching out toward them — which can also be seen as threatening — let them approach you when they’re comfortable.
While animals can’t speak to us using our language, they do communicate with us constantly through their body language — it’s up to us to pay attention and listen to what they’re telling us!
1. What can we know about animals’ body language from the first two paragraphs?A.It is a difficult skill for animals to master. |
B.People can understand it easily and clearly. |
C.It occurs when animals communicate with humans. |
D.People can respond to the needs of animals through it. |
A.Straight. | B.Surrounding. | C.Tough. | D.Unique. |
A.Walking right up to them. | B.Making an indirect eye contact. |
C.Reaching out to them from the side. | D.Keeping a certain distance from them. |
A.The Mystery Behind Animal’s Behavior |
B.Difference Between Various Body Language |
C.Body — Messenger Between Animals and Man |
D.Animal’s Body Language: A Form of Communication |
3 . Four famous classic Italian writers
When it comes to Italian literature, many people come up with Dante. But there are many other famous Italian authors. Below are four recommended writers and their masterpieces.
Ludovico Ariosto (1474-1533)
Ariosto is best known for his epic(史诗般的) poem Orlando Furioso, which was published in 1977. As a poet always with new ideas, Ariosto invented the way of“singing the poem to the audience”. The poem presents a rich variety of characters, which has been an encouragement for many paintings and musical works.
Italo Calvino (1923-1985)
Calvino was the author of If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler published in 1979. The novel differs from others for its unique description of a frame story — a unifying story within which several tales are related. It has encouraged musicians like Sting to create their works. At the time of his death in 1985, Calvino was one of the world’s most translated Italian writers.
Umberto Eco (1932-2016)
Eco wrote The Name of the Rose, a historical murder mystery novel published in 1980. In the story, he skilfully applied the use of signs and symbols to it. A number of his books deal with the meaning and understanding of communication.
Alessandro Manzoni (1785-1873)
Manzoni is most famous for his novel The Betrothed published in 1827. The novel was regarded to be connected with Risorgimento, the Italian unification movement in the 19th century. Probably we can say, without this great novelist and this masterpiece of world literature, Italy wouldn’t be Italy.
1. What can we know about Orlando Furioso?A.It has influenced musical works. | B.It was published in 1979. |
C.It was written by Manzoni. | D.It has been translated into many languages. |
A.A unique describing style. | B.The use of signs and symbols. |
C.A mix of new ideas. | D.The history of a movement. |
A.Ludovico Ariosto. | B.Italo Calvino. |
C.Umberto Eco. | D.Alessandro Manzoni. |
4 . Discover Our Winter Camps This Season
Spaces EduAges 13-17 Years
Are you looking for an exciting and creative way to develop computer skills? Spaces Edu is the perfect course for students who want to bring their imaginations to life by coding(编码)their own VR projects. In this course, students will learn how to create 3D objects and will also learn how to collect information quickly, as well as how to share their creations online and experience them with VR headsets(头戴式耳机). This is an advanced course so some coding experience is necessary.
Necessary Life SkillsAges 12-13 Years
This course will offer important real-life skills for students which will prepare them for their university. Students will learn how to create their own detailed résumés(简历)as well as how to prepare for interviews so they are prepared and filled with confidence as they take the next steps in life.
French through Art & CultureAges 8-11 Years
Join us this spring as we travel in time through the richness of French music, people and colors. Each day, students will build their understanding of the language through a different way. As students become interested in French art and culture they will develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
First StepsAges 7-12 Years
In this introductory course for beginners, students will learn the basics of computer in Python. The course will focus on learning Python programming and then using the knowledge and skills to create computer programs. Using an online learning platform(平台), students will be guided through their learning of Python basics. Students should bring their own computers.
1. Which camp is suitable for students who prepare for college life?A.French through Art & Culture. | B.Necessary Life Skills. |
C.Spaces Edu. | D.First Steps. |
A.Improve their French. | B.Travel in France. |
C.Organize an art show. | D.Create a 3D painting. |
A.They are perfect for beginners. | B.They are open to students aged 7. |
C.Computers will be used. | D.Free headsets will be provided. |
5 . On 20 December, in Newdale, a series of huge waves caused by an undersea earthquake raced across the ocean near Goldshore. Worse still, it
The day began like any other on Goldshore Beach. People were walking, running or simply sitting on the sandy beach,
Sabrina was
A.left | B.brought | C.affected | D.led |
A.recognize | B.survive | C.challenge | D.quit |
A.stress | B.reality | C.danger | D.failure |
A.making up | B.taking in | C.focusing on | D.checking out |
A.wave | B.sunshine | C.whistle | D.wind |
A.unique | B.powerful | C.strange | D.attractive |
A.narrow | B.adventurous | C.distant | D.calm |
A.signs | B.damages | C.effects | D.results |
A.embarrassed | B.confused | C.annoyed | D.frightened |
A.warned | B.cheated | C.helped | D.debated |
A.disease | B.disaster | C.accident | D.drought |
A.officer | B.designer | C.partner | D.inventor |
A.actually | B.anxiously | C.immediately | D.curiously |
A.informed | B.robbed | C.reminded | D.cleared |
A.slid | B.crashed | C.divided | D.tapped |
6 . Working on your adventure list? These national park treasures which turn favorites during the harvest time should be on it.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
33, 000 acres of forests wait between Cleveland and Akron, all along the snaking Cuyahoga River. The park will delight you with plenty of outdoor activities suiting every interest, but do not climb over the fenced areas, rocks, or Brandywine Falls. Now the red maple trees will be visually on fire, which you can enjoy from the comfort of the tourist railway—Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Extending some 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico, this series of parks includes a historic building, untouched barrier islands, and sugar-white beaches. Don’t miss the Fort Pickens area, which is a perfect spot to observe wild animals living in the scenic natural environment. With an average high of 79°F and a low of 60°F, the fall weather here is exceptional.
Voyageurs National Park
Yellow and red leaves in fall will catch your eyes, contrasting with this parks’ glassy waters. In the Land of 10, 000 Lakes, there are no roads in the park, so visitors use boats to cross this remote 218, 000-acre park. Some 100+ bird species, even the rare ones, pass through the park, so keep an eye out for them.
1. What can visitors do in Cuyahoga Valley National park?A.Enjoy the red maple trees. | B.Enjoy the fireworks. |
C.Climb the rocks. | D.Sunbathe on the beach. |
A.Voyageurs National Park. | B.Gateway Arch National Park. |
C.Cuyahoga Valley National Park. | D.Gulf Islands National Seashore. |
A.Spring. | B.Summer. | C.Autumn. | D.Winter. |
7 . Now more companies are experimenting with the concept of connected clothes. Among the pioneers is London based Cute Circuit, which has been creating fashionable smart clothing since 2004. The company’s latest innovation is the “Sound Shirt”, which allows deaf people to “feel” live music by transforming the tunes into touch sensations (感受) in real time.
The fashionable jacket uses software that changes the music into data and wirelessly sends it to the 16-micro motors fitted inside the clothing’s fabric (布料). The devices shake with the intensity (强度) of the music being played, allowing the wearer to feel each instrument individually. For example, violins can be felt on the arms, while the deeper, heavier bass notes can be felt close to the stomach. The series of touch like sensations across the wearer’s body enable him or her to feel the entire music, resulting in a musical experience.
To ensure the shirt is comfortable, the designers chose to leave out wires and instead wove conductive textiles (导电纺织品) into the garment’s fabric. Francesca Rosella, chief creative officer of Cute Circuit, explains, “There’re no wires inside, so we’re only using smart fabrics — we have a combination of micro-electronics and very thin and flexible and conductive fabrics. All these little electronic motors are connected with these conductive fabrics so that the garment is soft and stretchable.”
Cute Circuit, which has been testing the Sound Shirt for three years, expects to make it available to the general public shortly. Priced at $3,673, the smart jacket won’t be cheap. However, twin sisters Herman and Heredia Breanne, who lost their hearing at a young age, believe the hi-tech garment is a worthwhile investment, especially for deaf people with a passion for dancing. “It’s almost like feeling the depth of the music,” says Herman. “It just feels as though we can move along with it.”
1. Why does the writer mention smart clothing in the first paragraph?A.To show the development of technology. |
B.To introduce the topic of the passage. |
C.To demonstrate the latest trend of music. |
D.To summarize the main idea of the whole passage. |
A.The software used in the shirt. |
B.The musical instruments felt by the wearers. |
C.The way the shirt functions. |
D.The experience the wearer gains with the shirt. |
A.Affordable and fashionable. | B.Cheap and comfortable. |
C.Interesting but useless. | D.Expensive but comfortable. |
A.The shirt will be popular with deaf dancing-enthusiasts. |
B.They will invest in the “Sound Shirt” industry. |
C.The shirt should be marketed as soon as possible. |
D.They love music very much. |
8 . Rome can be expensive for travelers, which is why many choose to stay in a hostel (旅社).
Yellow Hostel
If I had to make just one recommendation for where to stay in Rome, it would be Yellow Hostel. It’s one of the best hostels in the city, and for good reason. It’s affordable, and it’s fun without being too noisy. As an added advantage, it’s close to the main train station.
Hostel Alessandro Palace
If you love social hostels, this is the best hostel for you in Rome. Hostel Alessandro Palace is fun. Staff members hold plenty of bar events for guests. There’s also an area on the rooftop for hanging out with other travelers during the summer.
Youth Station Hostel
If you’re looking for a clean and modern hostel, look no further than Youth Station. It offers beautiful furnishings (家具陈设). There are plenty of other benefits, too: it doesn’t charge city tax; it has both air conditioning and a heater for the rooms; it also has free Wi-Fi in every room.
Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes
Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes is located just a 10-minute walk from the central city station and it’s close to all of the city’s main attractions. The staff is friendly and helpful, who will offer you a map of the city when you arrive, and advice if you require some. However, you need to pay 2 euros a day for Wi-Fi.
1. What is the major concern of travelers who choose to stay in a hostel?A.Comfort. | B.Safety. | C.Price. | D.Location. |
A.Yellow Hostel. |
B.Hostel Alessandro Palace. |
C.Youth Station Hostel. |
D.Hotel and Hostel Des Artistes. |
A.It gets noisy at night. | B.Its staff is too talkative. |
C.It charges for Wi-Fi. | D.It’s inconveniently located. |
9 . Researchers at the University of Arizona have been studying the effects of green light therapy on those suffering from migraine (偏头痛). In September, they completed their first clinical study and the results are very encouraging. They found that green light therapy is extremely beneficial to those who suffer from headaches. It not only reduces the intensity of the pain, but it also decreases its frequency by 60 percent, significantly improving patients’ quality of life.
According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraine is the third most common illness in the world, affecting one billion worldwide, including men, women, and children. Additionally, it is the sixth most disabling illness in the world and more than 90 percent of the sufferers are unable to carry on with their normal activities during their sufferings. And when it is actually treated, medication overuse can lead to episodic (偶尔发生的) migraine turning chronic (慢性的).
According to Science Daily, the recent clinical study included 29 patients who suffer from episodic or chronic migraine. They have tried but failed in several traditional therapies including Botox injections and oral medications. In the study, participants spent two hours at home each day staring at a green-light LED. They did this for ten weeks, reporting the number and intensity of headaches they had.
Dr. Patwardhan, co-author of the study, said that the green light discharged by the LED greatly helps those who do not want to take medicine as well as those who do not respond to medications. “The beauty of this approach is the lack of associated side effects,” Patwardhan explained. But that’s not all. The participants also reported significant improvements in sleep quality and in the ability to perform everyday normal activities such as exercise and work. And none of them reported any side effects.
As the study reveals, green light treatment might be an unprecedented (前所未有的) alternative for migraine sufferers.
1. What can we learn from the research?A.Migraine sufferers unable to live a normal life makes up about 60%. |
B.Episodic migraine can be treated more easily than chronic migraine. |
C.Headaches can be relieved by green light. |
D.Migraine most frequently happens to adults. |
A.Take some traditional medicine daily for ten weeks. |
B.Use a green-light LED the whole night at home for ten days. |
C.Receive an injection each day for two months. |
D.Look at the green light for two hours per day for 70 days. |
A.lit up | B.put out | C.taken in | D.sent out |
A.He thought it had side effects. |
B.He agreed it was of great benefit. |
C.He worried it might affect sleep. |
D.He wondered if it hurt eyes. |
10 . A study by University of Michigan researchers found that about mine out of ten people in New York City were exposed to noises that were high enough to harm their hearing. Some of the risk comes from traffic and other environmental sounds, but we suffer a lot of punishment on our ears by simply attending sports events and concerts. Listening to music through earphones and turning up the volume also do damage.
Hearing aids may have seemed not comfortable to wear for some people. But today, you might not even realize that the person next to you is wearing a pair of earphones so small and thin that they’re mostly hidden inside the ears. You might be even more surprised to discover that the person can adjust those hearing aids on a phone app — to make it easier to hear what you’re saying in a crowded, noisy environment.
“There’s a cool factor for hearing aids,” explains Dr. Hope Lanter. “They’re significantly (显著地) better and smaller.” Lanter is the lead audiologist (听力学家) for hear. com, an online source for hearing aids from various producers, which also offers access to a nationwide network of audiologists who can provide in-person testing and help.
Hear. com has started its own product, which is named the Horizon, together with engineers from hearing aid maker Signia, according to a news report. In addition to producing clear speech, the Horizon is also designed to interact with phones and other tools, make phone calls, stream podcasts, read e-books and so on.
Throughout the United States, the number of hearing aids and earphones is on the rapid increase. Though they have brought much benefit for those who have difficulty in hearing, they really do great harm to people with normal hearing when they listen to music or talk with others.
1. Why did the author mention the study in paragraph 1?A.To introduce the topic of the text. | B.To show the number of deaf people. |
C.To explain the importance of protecting hearing. | D.To tell us the wide use of earphones. |
A.Many people feel it awkward to wear hearing aids. |
B.More and more people are wearing hearing aids now. |
C.Hearing aids are getting more and more advanced. |
D.It’s easier to stay away from loud noises with hearing aids. |
A.Unfavorable. | B.Supportive. | C.Confident. | D.Not mentioned. |
A.Loud noises in the United States. | B.Different earphones producers. |
C.The advantages of hearing aids. | D.The wide use of hearing aids and earphones. |