1 . I had planned a tour in New Zealand and when I finally visited the country last year, I simply fell in love with it.
New Zealand is a nature lover’s paradise. Wonderful scenery, pollution free, good climate, challenging activities…what more can one ask for? No skyscraper in cities at all. A four or five-storied building is a high and huge one here. The West Coast beaches attracted me most. Sitting on the sand, listening to the wind, watching the fantastic tiding, we were exposed to a wild and pure picture.
We rented a car and drove throughout the South Island. You can reserve one through the Internet. It is quite convenient to get and return the car. We started our driving in Christchurch and stopped in Dunedin seven days later.
New Zealanders call themselves Kiwi（几维鸟）. This simple and kind species exists merely in this island. That is just what a New Zealander has.
The engine once stalled suddenly. However we tried, it refused to work again. There was not even one car passing by. Just then two bikers appeared and offered help. Finally the car could move. Another time we lost the car key. We searched the way we walked inch by inch, hoping to find, but failed. All the things were in the car. We went to the Lost-and-Found to try our luck. The gentle policeman gave us all keys found within one hour to check. Our key was lying there!
That is New Zealand. A simple but splendid place!
1. Which of the statements would the writer agree with about New Zealand?| A．Young travelers like this place better. |
| B．Tourists can never find a better place to go. |
| C．It’s a wonderful place for people with no cars. |
| D．It’s environmentally friendly with amazing scenery. |
| A．Died. | B．Moved. | C．Exploded. | D．Functioned. |
| A．They look like the bird Kiwi. |
| B．They are simple and kind like Kiwi. |
| C．They want people to know more about this species. |
| D．They try to raise tourists’ awareness to protect Kiwi. |
2 . Our Library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification system(Dewey for short) to arrange books and other resources on the shelves so you can locate them easily. We’re going to show you how to use Dewey to find a book at any Library site.
Once you’ve searched for your item on Library Search, you’ll see something like this:
Globalization and education: critical perspectives  Nicholas C Burbules; Carlos Alberto Torres 2000; ISBN0415920485(hbk); ISBNO41520477(pbk); ISBN97804 15920483; ISBN9780415920476 ◆Available at Main Library Blue Area Floor 1(370. 193 B174) Find in Library Details Reviews and tags |
The part in the brackets is the bit we’re interested in. What do these numbers next to the book’s location mean? The numbers shown are a “shelfmark”. You’ll find one of these on every book in the Library—a lot of customers find this confusing at first but if you break down the information into three sections, it’s easier to understand.
1. The numbers in front of the decimal point indicate the subject area(in this case 370). Look for this number first.
2. Next, look for the number after the decimal point(in this case 193).
3. Now look for the letter(s)and number(s). Letters are usually the initial letter(s)of the author’s name(in this case, Burbules).
Sometimes, you will see extra letters before the shelfmark. This shows that a book is part of a collection within the Library. For example: M. E. 279. 32R29 is part of the Middle Eastern collection. Find the collection first, before looking for the number.
1. What can help us find a book at the Library site easily on Library Search?| A．Its title. | B．Its shelfmark. | C．Its publication time. | D．Its author’s name. |
| A．The book’s location area. | B．The name of a collection. |
| C．The author’s family name. | D．The shelf’s alphabetical order. |
| A．M. E. /279/32R/29 | B．M. /E. /279. 32/R29 |
| C．M. E. /279. 32/R/29 | D．M. E. /279/32/R29 |
3 . How far would you go to make a good impression at a new job? A college student in Alabama walked 32 kilometers in the dark to get to his new job.
The story begins with Walter Carr's car breaking down the night before starting a new job. Carr was unable to find a ride. So, he figured out how long it would take to walk from his house to the job in Pelham-32 kilometers away. He left at midnight so that he could make it to the customer's house by 8：00 am the next morning.
Pelham police saw him walking along a highway at 4-00 am. So, they stopped to see if he needed help. After hearing his story, they took him to a restaurant for breakfast and then to a church where he could safely wait until 8：00 am. The police then took Carr to the home of customer Jenny Lamey. Lamey said that even though Carr had just walked the entire night, he refused her offer to rest. He just wanted to start working. While he worked, he talked with the customer, telling her how much he liked her kitchen.
Jenny Lamey later wrote this on Facebook："I just can't tell you how touched I was by Walter and his journey. He is kind and cheerful and he has big dreams! He is hardworking and tough. " She then started a GoFundMe page to help Walter with money to get his car fixed. When the CEO of Bellhops, Luke Marklin, learned of Carr's story, he drove from Tennessee to Alabama to give Walter his own 2014 Ford Escape.
Walter Carr's story touched many others around the United States. Within a few days, people gave over $ 73 ,000 to his GoFundMe page. Carr has decided to give a part of the donations to the Birmingham Education Foundation. And he has received more offers for jobs and scholarships for schools.
1. Why did Walter Carr decide to go to work on foot?| A．He wanted to challenge himself. | B．His car was damaged beyond repair. |
| C．He was unable to borrow a car. | D．He wished to be punctual for the job. |
| A．He broke traffic regulations. | B．He was blamed by his customer. |
| C．He was committed to his job. | D．He started to work after a short break. |
| A．Cautious. | B．Ambitious. | C．Generous. | D．Sensitive. |
| A．One has to suffer in order to get a good job. |
| B．A good impression is sure to bring one good money. |
| C．The efforts to leave a good impression are to pay off. |
| D．One has to give up something in return for donations. |
4 . Laguna Beach Festival of Arts
Festival Store
Plenty of people attend Laguna Beach Festival of Arts just to admire the works of art. However, for serious art buyers, attending early in the season means a lot, since excellent pieces often sell early. Weekday are less busy but there are fewer artists present. They often meet crowds in the evening that show up for the Pageant of the Masters.
Fun Activities
Part of the fun of the festival comes from the activities that go on during the event. Tours and workshops are available every day. Weekends are full of live music and special events. To get best value for the money you spend during the week, Thursday is the day to go for art talks by participating artists and evening jazz.
Food & Drinks
Food and drinks are sold at the snack bar, Tivoli Terrace cafe and restaurants are on site for more formal dining. Picnics are welcome during an talks or music shows and there are tables set up in the courtyard for you to enjoy your homemade or take-away food. But alcohol is forbidden here. On Thursdays, central tables are reserved for ticket holders.
Cost of the Tickets
Entrance admission: $60 per person (the Pageant of the Masters and live music shows included.)
Joint pass: $120 per person (free of charge for all the performances.)
Notes: Since there are many visitors on the weekends, the ticket office may be crowded. For faster service, call toll-free number 24 hours a day.
For more information visit www.Langunabcachfestivalofarts.com
1. What should one intending to buy some good pieces of art in the festival do?| A．Go there on weekdays. |
| B．Turn to artists for advice. |
| C．Go there as soon as it starts. |
| D．Show up for the Pageant of the Masters. |
| A．Drink alcohol. | B．Have a formal dinner. |
| C．Appreciate music while eating. | D．Eat at central tables as they like. |
| A．$60 | B．$120 | C．$180 | D．$240 |
5 . So many things can keep you from seeing your loved ones in person, from busy schedules to long distances. Fortunately, thanks to modern technology, the people we miss are often only a phone call or text message away. But if you’re someone who prefers typed out messages toverbalones, you may want to reconsider. According to science, if you want to feel more connected to the people you're talking to, you should call them instead of texting.
A new study, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, found that communication including voice, like a phone call or video chat, created stronger social connections than communication through typing, like text messaging or e-mailing.
In the study, researchers used various experiments to judge connectedness. In one, they asked 200 people to predict (预测）what it would be like to reconnect with an old friend by e-mail or by phone. Although people expected that a phone call would get them more uncomfortable, hearing someone's voice actually made the experience better.
In another experiment, the researchers had strangers connected by either texting, talking over video chat, or talking using only audio (音频）.They found that both forms of voice communication—whether video or audio only—made the strangers feel significantly more connected than when they communicated by texting.
Sabrina Romanoff, a psychologist, says people prefer to text or email instead of calling because of convenience. In reality, texting can make it hard to determine the true meaning behind a conversation. "A phone call is actually more convenient when considering the net effects of the message,” she explains. “Each party is present, and therefore, able to understand the meaning behind the content without figuring out the endless possible meanings behind words.”
1. What does the underlined word “verbal” in Paragraph 1 mean?| A．Drawn. | B．Written. | C．Spelt. | D．Spoken. |
| A．Voice communication makes people worried. |
| B．Voice betters text messaging in communication. |
| C．Texting gets people more connected than phoning. |
| D．It is more comfortable to call friends than strangers. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Serious. | C．Confused. | D．Positive. |
| A．The ways to greet old friends. |
| B．The importance of communication. |
| C．Why we should call instead of texting. |
| D．How modern technology helps us get connected. |
6 . To help tourists enjoy the beauty of natural wonders all over the world.CNN Traverl’s editors recommend some best places to visit.
Chile Lake District is worth a visit,thanks to the national parks,volcanoes and outdoor adventuring . The town of Pucon is great for hot springs and is also home to one of Chile’s most famous volcanoes.Villarica.Braving the travel to the top is a must for experienced hikers.
Copenhagen
Known as the happy capital of one of the world’s happiest countries ,Copenhagen has long been a source of attraction for travelers drawn by its cycling culture , colorful businessman houses and best restaurants .Cycling is the fastest ,easiest ,most healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around Copenhagen.
The Dead Sea
As the lowest point on Earth ,the Dead Sea is far from an unnoticed secret .But the realities of the climate crisis(气候危机)are causing water levels there to drop and have changed the Dead Sea from “a place to visit someday” to “a place you need to visit now .”Because of the high salt content of the water , bathers in the Dead Sea can actually read newspapers or book’s while relaxing on the water . Besides , the Dead Sea’s key position makes it a perfect stop on a Middle Eastern road trip.
Jamaica
In April, Ian Fleming’s superspy James Bond appears in his 25th film，“No Time To Die,” in which Daniel Craig's 007 returns to the beach house, Goldeneye, about 90 minutes from Montego Bay. Fleming wrote 14 James Bond novels at Goldeneye, working there every winter from 1952 until his death in 1964. Guests can stay in the famous writer’s five-bedroom beachfront home on the northern coast of the island and use Fleming's writing desk.
1. What will visitors do in Copenhagen?| A．Have a bicycle trip. | B．Take a hot spring bath. |
| C．Watch wonderful films. | D．Meet environmentalists. |
| A．It is an unnoticed secret. | B．It is a place to visit one day. |
| C．It helps people relax on the water. | D．It serves as a stop on the trip. |
| A．The Dead Sea. | B．Jamaica. |
| C．Chile Lake District. | D．Copenhagen. |
7 . Mika still remembers the exact moment she was separated from her mother on September 24, 1975. Then just four years old, she and her mother were walking through Penn Station in New York City. Mika saw a candy store and asked whether she could go in. She thought her mother said yes, so she entered. When she returned, her mother was gone.
A policeman found her wandering alone and took her to the police station. Before long, she was placed in an orphanage (孤儿院)where she was given a name—Missy—because she wouldn’t talk. Two years later, she was adopted(收养). Once she finished high school, she moved out, changed her name to Mika. All the while she tried to find her birth family. In 2001, eager for any information, she posted on a website that she had been left at Penn Station and was searching for her birth mother.
Carty, founder of reunitepeople.com, saw the message and decided to help her. She said, “Don’t worry about sending me any money. I’m just going to help you.” Carty worked the case on and off for 16 years without a breakthrough. In December 2017, she sent Mika a DNA test as a Christmas present. After running the results through several databases (数据库), Carty found that Mika was a match with a woman named Kelly, who appeared to be Mika’s first cousin. Carty called Kelly, who at first doubted about the story but finally agreed to help.
When Mika met her long-lost family, her uncle, Joseph, said to her, “I hope you forgive us.” Mika nodded, smiling through her tears.
1. What can you learn about Mika?| A．She found her birth family in her forties. |
| B．She sent Carty money in order to get help. |
| C．She named herself Missy in the orphanage. |
| D．She reunited with her family through a website. |
| A．Helpful and determined. | B．Confident and careful. |
| C．Curious and responsible. | D．Imaginative and hard-working. |
| A．Website Helped Her | B．Mika Lost Her Mom |
| C．Carty Worked the Case | D．Technology Reunited Them |
8 . Scientists have not found any signs of life on Mars yet,but they say a robotic vehicle called “Curiosity” is helping them learn a lot about the planet’s history and climate.
Curiosity landed on Mars in August 2012 after travelling through space for more than eight months.It was sent to Mars by scientists from NASA in the United States.
Curiosity is about the size of a car and has six wheels.It also has a robotic arm,cameras,and instruments that allow it to examine things it finds on the surface.Then it sends the information back to the earth.
Curiosity’s main task is to find out if anything could live on Mars,either now or in the past.On Nov.2,NASA scientists held a press conference (新闻发布会) to discuss what Curiosity had found in its first two months on Mars.
Curiosity has found soil that is similar to the sand formed by volcanoes (火山) on the earth.Scientists say that studying the minerals in Martian soil will help them understand what conditions were like on the planet in the past.Curiosity also found smooth stones like the ones found on river beds and seashores on the earth,where their rough edges have been worn down by water.Mars is very cold and dry now,but scientists say the smooth stones tell them that a river used to run through the place where they were found.
Curiosity has been testing the atmosphere around Mars for a type of gas called methane (甲烷),but so far it has not found any.On the earth,most methane is produced by plants or animals.Methane on Mars might indicate that some type of tiny plants or animals lived there.
Curiosity is the fourth robotic vehicle to be sent to Mars.It will continue to explore the planet for about two years.
1. Which of the following descriptions about Curiosity is TRUE?| A．It landed on Mars in January 2012. |
| B．It is small in size and has four arms. |
| C．It took over eight months to arrive in Mars. |
| D．It was sent to Mars by scientists from Russia. |
| A．there’s no air on Mars | B．Mars is warm and wet now |
| C．the soil on Mars is rich | D．there used to be water on Mars |
| A．smooth stones | B．rivers |
| C．robotic vehicles | D．volcanoes |
| A．some tiny animals once lived on Mars |
| B．there are no plants or animals on Mars now |
| C．the atmosphere around Mars is full of methane |
| D．Curiosity is designed to test the atmosphere around the earth |
| A．Humans benefit a lot by going to Mars. |
| B．Scientists will stop the research on Mars soon. |
| C．It is possible to build an earth-like environment on Mars. |
| D．A robotic vehicle helps scientists get useful information from Mars. |
9 . Amsterdam,the capital and most populous city in the Netherlands，is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world，famous for its beautiful canals，top art museum，cycling culture，and Red Light District.Here are some of the key points to remember as you plan your trip to Amsterdam.
Must-See AttractionsMost visitors begin their Amsterdam adventure in the Old Centre,which is full of traditional architecture，shopping centers,and coffee shops.You’ll also want to check out Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter in the South District，which is great for shopping at the Albert Cuyp Market and having a picnic in the Vondelpark.The top museums to visit are the Rijksmusuem,the Ann Frank House,and the Van Gogh Museum.The Canal Ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally built to attract wealthy home owners and is a popular place for celebrity spotting and nightlife today.
TransportationTravelers should be aware that Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in the world.This airport is located about 15 kilometers southwest of city center.You can catch a train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Central Station，which has many connecting routes.It’s typically not a good idea to drive a car to the city center because traffic is heavy and parking is difficult to find.Cycling is incredibly popular here,and it’s easy to find cheap bike rentals around town.Amsterdam has a flat terrain(地形) and is a great city to explore on foot.
Money Saving TipsUnless you really want to see the tulips(郁金香) blooming，avoid booking between mid-March and mid-May.This is when hotel and flight prices rise.
Look for accommodations in Amsterdam’s South District，where rates are generally cheaper than in the city center.Buy train tickets at the machine instead of the counter to save a bit of money.
Instead of hiring a tour guide，hop on a canal boat.They’re inexpensive and will give you a unique point of view of the city.Check out our homepage to view price comparisons for flights,hotels,and rental cars before you book.
1. Which attraction was built with the original purpose of drawing the rich?| A．Albert Cuyp Market. | B．The Ann Frank House. |
| C．The Van Gogh Museum. | D．The Canal Ring. |
| A．The plane. | B．The train. |
| C．The car. | D．The bike. |
| A．Seeing the tulips blooming in spring. | B．Avoiding accommodating downtown. |
| C．Buying car tickets at the machine. | D．Hiring a local tour guide. |
10 . Bamboo is one of the nature's most surprising plants. Many people call this plant a tree, but it is a kind of grass.
Like other kinds of grass, a bamboo plant may be cut very low to the ground, but it will grow back very quickly. A Japanese scientist recorded one bamboo plant that grew almost 1.5 meters in 24 hours! Bamboo grows almost everywhere in the world except Europe. There are more than 1,000 kinds of bamboo that grow around the world on both mountains and plains (平原)．
Not all bamboo looks the same. Some bamboo plants are very thin. They may only grow to be a few centimeters wide while others may grow to more than 30 centimeters across. This plant also comes in different colors, from yellow to black to green.
Many Asian countries have been using bamboo for hundreds of years. They often use bamboo for building new buildings. As a matter of fact, the cables (绳索) that hold up the hanging bridge across the Min River in Sichuan are made of bamboo. The bridge has been in use for more than 1,000 years, and is still holding strong.
In Africa, engineers are teaching poor farmers how to find water using bamboo. These African countries need cheap ways to find water because they have no money，and their fields often die from no rain and no water. It seems that bamboo is one of the best things they can use. Bamboo pipes and drills (钻) can help to make the poor thirsty fields to be watered.
1. How is bamboo like grass?| A．It is thin and easy to cut. | B．It grows everywhere. |
| C．It grows quickly after its cut short. | D．It is short and green. |
| A．short | B．strong | C．thick | D．tall |
| A．most people call bamboo plant trees |
| B．bamboo plant may grow 4.5 meters in three days |
| C．the bamboo plant changes its colors when it grows |
| D．a bridge held by bamboo cable was built thousands of years ago |
| A．Because it is cheap. | B．Because it is colorful. |
| C．Because it drills fast. | D．Because it is used by Asians. |
