1 . Welcome here! The Southern Spring Home&Garden Show will be held at the conference center of The Park Expo. This show will last from Wednesday (March 2) to Sunday (March 6, 2022).

Admission: Adults $10.00. Teenagers under 15 free with a paying adult.

Join Lincolnton’s own Tammie Davis as she performs her original country songs at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 5th.

Special Days: The Spring for Kids First Night Gala benefiting the Council for Children’s Rights will take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p. m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, Tickets are $50 and include an access to Freedom Hall, where you can enjoy delicious food, beverage (饮料) and entertainment free of charge.

Seniors Day (55+): Wednesday is for them. Cost is $ 7.00 but without coupons (优惠券)．

Hours: Wednesday, Thursday&Sunday:10 a.m.—5 p.m.; Friday & Saturday:10 a.m.—9 p.m.

Wheelchairs are available on a first-come-first-served basis for you. The cost is $1.00 and you are required to leave a valid driver’s license or ID.

Parking: All Day Parking $ 6.00; Half Day Parking $ 3.00; Every Hour Parking $ 1.00 For More Information: Come to visit Mardee Woodward in person.

E-mail:mwoodward@southernshows.com Telephone: 704-376-4085

1. We can learn from the text that the show will       .

A．take place in a private house	B．offer free parking
C．have the only one singer	D．last only five days

2. How much is the admission for a family of two grown-ups and a child aged 16?

A．$30.

B．$10.

C．$20.

D．$40.

3. We can infer from the text that________.

A．old people can visit the show only on Wednesday

B．there are not enough wheelchairs for the disabled

C．the disabled can use the wheelchairs free of charge

D．kids’ tickets on Wednesday don’t include beverage

2 . The state of Israel has welcomed the opportunity to build itself as a startup nation. But how did Israel show its strength in the tech market? And what drove this region to become a software-centric startup nation of young companies competing for a place on the global tech map?

Part of the answer comes down to the local mindset, mentality and morals-after all, the country is well used to fighting for its place. The wider answer is the combination of resources(largely human, not natural ones), higher education, the widespread use of English and the determined attitude to overcome problems that is typical of the local culture.

“We have a longstanding tradition of turning curses into blessings,” said Jon Medved, CEO of OurCrowd, a Jerusalem-based global venture investment platform organization. “We don’t have huge natural resources, so we have worked hard to develop our skills-base in the country. There is a certain mentality that leans towards risk acceptance here…. and people develop that from a young age. In my view, great achievements are made by taking lots of risks, but in a calculated way with various approaches to everything.”

Actually, what happens next will be interesting. Israel can’t call itself a startup technology nation forever. For example, more and more of these tech startups will need to graduate to become fully-blown operational companies. Although what often happens is the smaller tech companies end up getting bought by international tech heavyweights-the ICQ messaging system purchase by AOL being among the most famous of these. We can also see major firms like Microsoft and others setting up production plants and research centres in the region, so Israel won’t want to see its talent being bled outwards either.

Either way, Israel’s technology zone has put itself on the map from what appeared to almost nothing. Software development works well in a melting pot. It just needs some hot sauce… and they have that too.

1. What is one of the reasons behind Israel’s rising as a technology startup nation?

A．Rich human and natural resources.	B．A high value placed on education.
C．Widespread use of the native language.	D．Successful cooperation with major firms.

2. What does the underlined word “that” refer to in Paragraph 3?

A．Some natural resource.	B．The local culture.
C．The risk-taking mentality.	D．A higher education.

3. Why is the case of the ICQ messaging system purchase mentioned?

A．To prove talent is the key to success.

B．To show the startups giving up their dreams.

C．To confirm nothing is impossible in this field.

D．To stress the challenge the startups tend to face.

4. What can we learn from the last paragraph?

A．Israel’s tech market has the strength to further develop.

B．Israel still needs to make greater effort to stay on the top.

C．Israel’s technology has played the leading role in its field.

D．No International tech heavyweights can compete with Israel.

3 . 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.

2. What does the underlined word “stalled” in Paragraph 5 probably mean?

A．Died.

B．Moved.

C．Exploded.

D．Functioned.

3. Why do New Zealanders call themselves Kiwi?

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.

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.

2. What can all visitors do in the courtyard?

A．Drink alcohol.	B．Have a formal dinner.
C．Appreciate music while eating.	D．Eat at central tables as they like.

3. How much should a couple who want to see live music shows pay at least?

A．$60

B．$120

C．$180

D．$240

5 . 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.

2. According to the information sent back by Curiosity,scientists believe that 　　　.

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

3. The underlined word “they” in Paragraph 5 refers to “　　　”.

A．smooth stones	B．rivers
C．robotic vehicles	D．volcanoes

4. We know from the sixth paragraph that 　　　.

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

5. What is the main idea of the passage?

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.

6 . 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 Attractions

Most 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.

Transportation

Travelers 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 Tips

Unless 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.

2. Which means of transportation is not advisable in Amsterdam according to the passage?

A．The plane.	B．The train.
C．The car.	D．The bike.

3. Which way can help visitors save money in Amsterdam?

A．Seeing the tulips blooming in spring.	B．Avoiding accommodating downtown.
C．Buying car tickets at the machine.	D．Hiring a local tour guide.

7 . 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.

2. The sentence “while others may grow to more than 30 centimeters across” means “Some other bamboo plants may grow to be very ________.”

A．short

B．strong

C．thick

D．tall

3. From the text we know ________.

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

4. Why did the engineers teach the poor farmers in Africa to make use of bamboo?

A．Because it is cheap.	B．Because it is colorful.
C．Because it drills fast.	D．Because it is used by Asians.

8 . China will have the most 5G connections of any nation by 2025, according to a new study, while Europe will fall behind Korea, the United States and Japan in terms of 5G penetration(渗透)by that year.

5G is the fifth generation of network technology. It is expected to bring unbelievable speeds to Internet users, with some operations running 10 times faster than on 4G networks. 5G is also expected to unlock the potential in a lot of new services, including artificial intelligence, science of robots self-driving cars, and the Internet of things.

The GSMA said that China's three major mobile operators-China Unicorn, China Mobile, and China Telecom-are already moving ahead with 5G networks. While most nations will have 5G by updating existing foundations, the study noted that China plans to build part of its 5G networks.

One of the most distinguishing(显著的) factors between Chinese mobile operators and those in the rest of the world is the intention to erect the new and independent 5G networks. That is, China is determined to build a completely advanced 5G. The high cost underlines China's seriousness about paying whatever it takes.

Korea will lead the world in terms of 5G penetration in 2025, when 66 percent of the nation's total connections will be 5G, according to GSMA. This compares to 50 percent in the US, 49 percent in Japan, 36 percent in China, 30 percent in Europe, and a global average of 18 percent. Out of the five economies leading on 5G, Europe will have the lowest participation in 2025, as the area is moving more slowly in having its 5G networks.

1. What will 5G bring?

A．A completely new pattern for daily life.

B．Excellent networks and national safety.

C．Amazing speeds for public transportation.

D．Realizing the potential in many new services.

2. What is the future of 5G in China?

A．It will develop rapidly.	B．It may be lack of government support.
C．It will move forward slowly.	D．It may fall behind Europe.

3. Which of the following best explains "erect" underlined in paragraph 4?

A．bring up.

B．set up.

C．turn up.

D．pick up.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．More than half Koreans use 5G in 2025.	B．Chinese cannot own 5G in 2025.
C．Only five countries will have 5G in 2025.	D．Europe will pay little attention to 5G in 2025.

9 . Though many people think of summer as a time to slow down and enjoy a vacation, it can also be the perfect time to make money or get experience. Here are some good summer jobs for you.

Survey-taking

Survey-taking is a way to make money during your summer holiday, especially if you live in an area that doesn’t have many chances. With a computer or smartphone, you can sit on your sofa and search for survey sites such as Surveys On The Go, InboxDollars or Swagbucks. Without much effort, you can start making money for your opinions. However, the ease of use comes with a low earning potential.

Food Delivery(递送)

If you enjoy driving, you can use your car to deliver food. You can sign up to deliver food from restaurants with services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash and Grubhub. Another choice is delivering daily used goods with services such as Postmates, Shipt and Instacart. The earning potential for delivery can be higher than for other jobs because customers often give tips. The disadvantage is that these jobs require you to put in more time.

Photo Applications

If you go to the mall, you can use an app such as Field Agent or Gigwalk to make money by taking pictures of products in stores. See any help-wanted signs in the store windows? Take a picture and get paid for each one you find.

House Sitting and Pet Care

Summer is a time when people take vacations and may need someone to look after their homes or pets. Services such as HouseSitter and MindMyHouse connect homeowners with proper house sitters(看房人). For animal lovers who would rather care for someone’s pet while they are away, you can turn to services like Rover.

1. What do we know about making money through Survey-Taking?

A．It’s interesting.	B．It requires little effort.
C．It takes much time.	D．It requires special knowledge.

2. Why is the earning potential for Food Delivery higher than for other jobs?

A．You can get some extra reward.

B．You work longer hours.

C．You need to drive your own car.

D．You deliver food for many people.

3. Which app should you use if you enjoy looking after animals?

A．Swagbucks.

B．Uber Eats.

C．HouseSitter.

D．Rover.

10 . Baby bats learn language from peers (同伴) in their social group, and will adopt the group’s dialect, or accent, instead of their mother’s, researchers said on Tuesday. The findings shed new light on crowd-learning of language, a skill thought to belong mainly to humans and just a few other mammals. It also shows that bats are different from songbirds, which tend to learn songs by copying one of their parents. “The ability to copy vocalizations (发音) from others is extremely important for speech learning in humans, but it’s believed to be rare among animals”, said lead author Yossi Yovel of Tel Aviv University.

For the study, researchers captured 14 pregnant Egyptian fruit bats. They separated them into three different bat social groups, where they raised the young bats with their mothers. Each bat group was exposed to a different recording of bat vocalizations. “The baby bats all adopted the manner of vocalizing of the group they heard, not their mothers. The difference between the vocalizations of the mother bat and those of the group is comparable to the difference in a London accent and, say, a Scottish accent,” Yovel said.

“The babies heard their mothers’ London dialect, but also heard the Scottish dialect produced by many dozens of Scottish bats. The babies eventually adopted a dialect that was more similar to the local Scottish dialect than to the London accent of their mothers.” Researchers hope to conduct future studies to examine how bats’ dialects change when they leave their social groups, and if it affects how they integrate with others.

1. What are the latest findings about bats?

A．Bats are born to adopt their mother’s dialect.

B．Bats can understand peers with different dialects.

C．Bats’ accents are influenced by their peer’s accents.

D．Bats pick up language quickly in company with their peers.

2. In paragraph 2, what does the underlined word they refer to?

A．Accents.	B．Baby bats.
C．Researchers.	D．Mother bats.

3. Why are London and Scottish accent mentioned?

A．To show the differences in dialects among social groups.

B．To explain why bat produce different sounds.

C．To indicate the birthplace of baby bats.

D．To compare how the two accents influenced understanding.

4. What will the future study most probably focus on?

A．How bats adopt a new dialect after entering a new social group.

B．What changes might occur to bats’ accent after entering a new social group.

C．Whether bats leave their social group if they change their accents.

D．Why some bats fail to be accepted in a new group after they are born.