1 . If you're daydreaming of future travels while stuck at home during the Covid-19 outbreak, why fantasize about the beaches of Ball or the canals of Venice when vacationing in space could be in your future?
Back in 2019, Californian company the Gateway Foundation released plans for a hotel that could one day float above the Earth's atmosphere. This futuristic concept was scheduled to be fully operational by 2027.
Now the hotel, Voyager Station, is set to be built by Orbital Assembly Corporation, a new construction company run by former pilot John Blincow, who also heads up the Gateway Foundation.
In a recent interview, Blincow explained there had been some Covid-related delays, but construction on the space hotel is expected to begin in 2026, and a hotel in space could be a reality by 2027.
"We're trying to make the public realize that this golden age of space travel is just around the corner. It's coming. It's coming fast," said Blincow.
Space tourism is becoming an increasingly hot topic, and there are several companies trying to make it happen — from Virgin Galactic to Elon Musk's SpaceX.
The team behind Voyager Station have said they're hoping to eventually make a stay at the hotel equal to "a trip to Disneyland ".
The team are also hoping to build research stations and spark space tourism and commerce opportunities. They imagine the government or private companies might use the space hotel for training crews heading to the moon, Mars and beyond.
The eventual goal, as the team put it in 2019, is "to create a starship culture where people are going to space, and living in space, and working in space. And we believe that there's a demand for that."
1. What can we learn about the space hotel from the text?| A．Its construction has already begun. | B．It has been delayed due to Covid-19. |
| C．It can float to the moon, Mars and beyond. | D．It is in great demand worldwide. |
| A．The Gateway Foundation. | B．Orbital Assembly Corporation. |
| C．The government. | D．The universities. |
| A．Exploring outer space. | B．Competing with other companies. |
| C．Opposing space tourism. | D．Building a spaceship culture. |
| A．First Ever Space Hotel Is Coming | B．There Is A Place Like No Other |
| C．Research Stations Are Getting Popular | D．Human Explorations Are Endless |
2 . Over the past two weeks, I've lost my passport, barked at a neighbor and published a picture of myself wearing a kid's superhero costume. Forgetfulness, anger and poor decision-making are all signs of sleep shortage.
And I'm not alone.
“I average around six hours a night,” admits Paul, who's lived in Shanghai for three years. “But how much of that is deep sleep, I don't know.”
Lisa works in a hotel. “I struggle to switch off,” she says, “a glass of red wine with dinner helps.”
March 21 is the World Sleep Day, an annual event in celebration of slumber, or sleep. When sleep problems become a global epidemic, it's time to ask: “Am I getting enough?”
The lack of sleep throughout industrialized nations is damaging our health, wellness and safety. We're dog-tired, the impact of which is enough to keep anyone up at night.
A global experiment is performed on 1.6 billion people across 70 countries twice a year: daylight savings. When one hour of sleep is lost in spring, there's a 24 percent increase in heart attacks, and in autumn, when the hour is regained, a 21 percent reduction.
Good sleep increases concentration, attention and decision-making. Creativity goes up, and our ability to find novel solutions to complex problems is hugely improved. Sleep reduces mood swings and stress levels. We drink less alcohol and make better food choices when rested.
Take sleep seriously. It's not a luxury, but a biological necessity. It's our life-support system and let it be our superpower.
1. Why does the author mention his own experiences in Paragraph 1?| A．To draw attention to his situation. | B．To complain about lacking sleep. |
| C．To introduce the topic of the text. | D．To raise a question about deep sleep. |
| A．Turn off. | B．Disinterest someone. | C．Stop talking. | D．Fall asleep. |
| A．The loss of sleep increases the risk of heart attacks. |
| B．Short sleep is linked to mental health problems. |
| C．Good sleep leads to better work performances. |
| D．Red wine is effective in treating sleeplessness. |
| A．Celebrating the World Sleep Day. | B．Paying attention to sleep problems. |
| C．Getting six hours' sleep every day. | D．Taking sleeping pills when necessary. |
3 . Caroline Woodward wakes each morning to the sound of waves crashing onto the rocks that surround her home, Lennard Island, British Columbia, Canada.
This rocky island is home to a bright white lighthouse with a fire engine red top. Lennard Island's lighthouse has been a fixture of the Western Canadian coast since 1904, when the first wooden lighthouse was built to guide sailors navigating the surrounding waters.
There's been a lighthouse keeper on Lennard Island ever since, and today, that job falls to Woodward, who also writes poetry and children's stories, and her husband Jeff George.
"I think many people have romantic, 19th century ideas of lighthouses," says Woodward. Not many of them are correct, she says.
No, she doesn't live in the tower itself — and no, she doesn't have much time to kill. What Woodward does have is a busy, fun, and rewarding role, one she wouldn't trade for the world.
Woodward and George take turns to send a 3:15 a.m. weather report to the local Coast Guard radio. It's the first of seven they deliver each day. They survey the sea and sky from the lookout points. Their routine work also involves maintaining the twelve buildings that make up Lennard Island Lightstation.
The couple work seven days a week — vacations come only when the Coast Guard organizes relief keepers. In between, there's time for tending to the garden, hiking, and keeping watch on the wildlife that populates Lennard Island and its spectacular surrounds.
"We have resident bald eagles, lots of gulls, crows, and water and shorebirds all the year round. We also host Pacific tree frogs and wonderful insects."
There are, fortunately, no bears or wolves, says Woodward.
The wildlife and landscapes provide plenty of inspiration for her writing, too. Woodward has recently finished a novel, which she says was inspired by the stunning surrounds of the North Pacific Ocean.
1. Which of the following is a duty of the lighthouse keepers?| A．Living in the tower of the lighthouse. | B．Sending seven weather reports daily. |
| C．Taking care of the garden. | D．Observing the wildlife on the island. |
| A．She values her job greatly. | B．She finds her job boring. |
| C．Reality disappoints her. | D．She wants to change her job. |
| A．She lives a romantic life there. | B．She secures long vacations. |
| C．Her creativity in writing is inspired. | D．Her physical health is improved. |
| A．Why Woodward becomes a lighthouse keeper. |
| B．What it is like to be a lighthouse keeper. |
| C．How the lighthouse keepers kill the time. |
| D．Where Woodward continues writing. |
4 . China is one of the best tourist destinations with many great museums, which will show you the Chinese civilization for the past thousands of years.
The Palace Museum, Beijing
There are always long lines at the gate, but it’s worth the wait. The palace Museum had been the Chinses imperial (皇帝的) palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty.
When you wander in the museum, you will be amazed at this largest palace complex in the world! It has about 1,807,000 rare and valuable artworks that witness the 5,000-year Chinese civilization.
Opening Hours:
April 1 — October 31: 8:30 — 17:00
November 1— March 31: 8:30 — 16:30
Closed on Mondays (except for national holidays and July-August)
National Museum of China, Beijing
This is the second most-visited museums in the world. Opened in 2003, the museum is devoted to educating the art and history of China through its collections, exhibitions, and academic researches.
Here you'll find the most brilliant masterpieces in China. It is now holding approximately 1,400,000 amazing objects. These objects are like storytellers who reveal Chinese history from the Yuanmou Man of 1.7 million years ago to the end of the Qing Dynasty.
Opening Hours:
9:00 — 17:00
Closed on Mondays
Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses (兵马俑), Xi'an
The Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses is featured with thousands of life-sized terracotta figures of warriors and horses. They are arranged in battle formations and different from each other with individual characteristics.
Thousands of treasures still remain to be unearthed at this archaeological (考古的) site, and more mysteries of the Qin dynasty will be revealed someday in the future.
Opening Hours:
March 16— November 15: 8:30 — 18:00
November 16— March 15: 8:30 — 17:30
Shanghai Museum, Shanghai
Visiting Shanghai Museum is ranked No. 2 out of 10 things to do in Shanghai. Perhaps, this is the most modern museum in China, housing a diverse collection of around 1,020,000 artifacts that chart the nation's history.
There are eleven galleries in three exhibition halls, covering most of the major categories of Chinese art: bronzes, sculpture, ceramics (陶瓷制品), paintings, calligraphy, seals, jade, coins and Ming and Qing furniture.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Sunday: 9:00 — 17:00
1. Which museum houses the largest collection?| A．The Palace Museum . | B．The National Museum of China. |
| C．The Museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses. | D．The Shanghai Museum. |
| A．It is the most popular museum in the world. |
| B．It used to be part of the emperor's palace. |
| C．It shows Chinese history of all times. |
| D．It opens every day except Monday. |
| A．Its collections date back to the age of the Yuanmou Man. |
| B．The masterpieces are arranged in its many galleries. |
| C．It focuses on the archaeological findings of one dynasty. |
| D．Sculpture, ceramics and paintings are on show there. |
5 . Find your new favorite West End musicals, from heartwarming adaptations and award-winning scores to extremely funny musicals and must-see London shows.
 | The Lion King Enjoy songs such as Circle Of Life. The award-winning adaptation of Disney’s The Lion King features music by Elton John, plus outstanding costumes and wonderful special effects. The Lion King delights all ages with rhythms of Africa and touching stories of love and life. Prices from £43.05 Call 077-533-0589 for Booking! |
 | The Phantom of the Opera Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical, The Phantom of the Opera, tells the tale of a shadowy character who attempts to make Christina the leading lady of the Paris Opera. With a fantastic plot and breathtaking scene, this long-running show is one of the must-see musicals in London. Prices from £30.75 Call 077-916-4545 for Booking! |
 | Thriller–Live See Thriller–Live, a musical in memory of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5. The show joined London’s West End after three UK tours and popularity across Europe. Celebrate the career of the King of Pop during non-stop hits at this top London theatre show. Prices from £32.72 Call 077-816-3148 for Booking! |
 | School of Rock Rock out at this award-winning new musical. Based on the 2003 movie, School of Rock follows the story of Dewey Finn and his discovery to transform a class of A-grade students into a real rock group. But will they make it to the Battle of the Bands? Booking until Feb. Prices from £18.00 Call 077-317-8315 for Booking! |
 | Matilda The Musical Be wowed by the Royal Shakespeare Company’s multi-award-winning production of Matilda The Musical. Roald Dahl’s celebrated story bursts into life in this West End musical by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin. Children and adults alike will be delighted by the little girl with an extraordinary imagination. Prices from £24.00 Call 077-517-8367 for Booking! |
1. The Phantom of the Opera is special because of its _____.
| A．excellent costumes | B．experienced actors |
| C．attractive story | D．beautiful songs |
| A．The Phantom of the Opera. | B．Matilda The Musical. |
| C．School of Rock. | D．Thriller–Live. |
| A．To analyze musicals. | B．To criticize musicals. |
| C．To advertise musicals. | D．To evaluate musicals. |
6 . Living alone in nature is the kind of decision that looks great on paper. You could move away from the pressures of city life, to somewhere with a lower cost of living and more privacy. You could enjoy scenic views all year round, and adopt a simpler way of life. It’s not hard to see the appeal of this at all. But what happens when that all goes wrong?
Paul Kingsnorth is a distinguished writer—his novel The Wake was longlisted for the Booker Prize and won the Gordon Burn Prize. His books help develop an awareness of place and history, so it’s not hugely surprising that his latest book, Savage Gods, is about his own rural existence. Savage Gods is in part about Kingsnorth, his wife, and their children moving to western Ireland. He writes, “In my country a small house and a field is beyond the means of anyone who doesn’t earn much money or who refuses to get into debt to chase a dream.” It’s a feeling that anyone who’s looked longingly at rural tiny houses miles from anyone else can relate to.
But Kingsnorth is aware that this is only part of the story. “Because I am not a real farmer, I have to make my money in other places,” he writes, “I need the Internet or the Dublin-to-Holyhead ferry and sometimes both to put food on my family’s table.” To make matters worse, Kingsnorth’s isolation(隔离) results in a crisis of confidence in his own writing abilities—which becomes one of the central themes of Savage Gods.
Kingsnorth isn’t the only writer to make time spent in a vivid countryside landscape sound less enjoyable than one might expect. The French writer Sylvain Tesson takes this to what may be its most extreme point in his book. He lived alone for six months. His book includes impressive descriptions of the landscape and what it’s like to experience depression in the middle of such a landscape.
Some books neatly remind you of the appeal of such an existence, while others make the drawbacks central to their accounts. In Names for the Sea, Moss summarizes the attraction of wilder places. “We’d come for the landscape, for the pale nights and dark shores, rain sweeping over trees and bushes,” she writes. From that, it’s not hard to see why a life in nature—even with its potential downsides—still appeals to so many.
1. According to Paragraph 1, living in isolation makes people_____.| A．look great | B．reveal their privacy |
| C．overcome pressures | D．enjoy a lower living cost |
| A．Paul Kingsnorth helps readers develop an awareness of time and space. |
| B．Paul Kingsnorth starts to have doubts about his ability as a writer. |
| C．Paul Kingsnorth’s family live comfortably in a rural house. |
| D．Paul Kingsnorth couldn’t afford a tiny rural house. |
| A．He thinks it a perfect idea to live alone in nature. |
| B．He earns money somewhere else to make ends meet. |
| C．His latest book is about the attraction of wilder places. |
| D．Living in the countryside landscape results in his depression. |
| A．To inform readers of a famous French writer. |
| B．To praise him for his marvelous writing skills. |
| C．To explain how to live in the peaceful countryside. |
| D．To emphasize more writers experience similar problems. |
7 . New Jersey Middle School Makes Students Go Phone-Free
A middle school in Union County, New Jersey, is forcing its students to stay disconnected in class, by prohibiting cellphones. Maxson Middle School Principal Kevin Stansbury put forward the phone ban last week after he noticed some major issues in the school. “Our test scores were down, discipline was up,” he says. According to him, students were too focused on their phones to pay attention to their lessons. So, he purchased Yondr pouches for the school.
Yondr pouch
When students come into class each morning, they place their phones in the pouch, which is then locked up tight. It can only be opened using a special device at the end of the day. The ban on mobile devices applies not just during class time but during breaks, with the only exceptions being in times of emergency or in cases of students who need such devices to help with disabilities.
Eighth-graders who spoke with News 12 New Jersey say that they noticed a change in a matter of hours. “It’s just better for everyone because you’ll understand how it feels to get more work done instead of paying attention to the phone,” says student Charlene V. “I’m usually listening to music, but today I got to communicate with all my friends,” says student Desiree Duncan.
The program was originally met with resistance from students and parents, so the process was not that smooth. But teachers and administrators say that the program will have a major impact. “Students were talking and laughing and there were no cellphones other than being carried in the pouches,” Stansbury says.
Teacher Nia Cummings says she even noticed students bouncing ideas off each other in class. She says students used to give up quickly and just look for answers on their phones. She says they now try to figure it out themselves. “Everyone is socializing and eating lunch together. That’s what I wasn’t seeing enough of when phone usage was at its worst,” she adds.
Maxson Middle School is currently the only one in the district to use these pouches. Kevin Stansbury also called on all the schools in the community that it’s worth paying close attention to cellphone issues at secondary schools and taking actions when necessary.
1. Maxson Middle School put forward the phone ban because students _____.| A．weren’t focused on school work | B．were always listening to music |
| C．used phones to cheat on exams | D．stopped talking with others |
| A．Opposition from students. | B．Teamwork with friends. |
| C．Daily routine at school. | D．Effect of the program. |
| A．Students discuss more in class. | B．Students finish their work on time. |
| C．Students guess the answers themselves. | D．Students check messages during the break. |
| A．has brought little change to teaching and learning |
| B．has gained support from every student and parent |
| C．might be carried out in other schools in the community |
| D．might have good influence on students'health conditions |
8 . The words “protect animals” appear everywhere in books and on screens, because some animals are even in danger of dying out. But sometimes the reality can be a little different from what people read or watch.
About 300 black bears were killed in Florida, the US, in October, 2015. It’s been the first bear hunt in the state since 1994. Local officers explained that the black bear population (族群) had grown to 3,500 and become a menace to local people. In the past two years, bears have hurt at least four people in Florida.
Months ago, the Swiss government allowed the locals to kill a wolf. This was because the wolf killed 38 sheep, and it was a great loss to some local farmers. Days ago in China, three old men were caught by the police for killing a sorrow (鬣羚), a kind of protected animal. They said they killed the animal because it ate the plants they grew.
However, these stories don’t always mean that animal protection stops because of human interests especially when it is related to economic (经济的) development. A man named Zhou Weisen set up a wild animal base in Guilin, Guangxi. He saved over 170 tigers and about 300 bears. His base also offered jobs to local people.
“There may never be a standard answer to the question of whether we should give more attention to the environment or human development,” said Robert May, a British expert at Oxford University. “But we shouldn’t put either one to one side, as the future is uncertain.”
1. What does the underlined word “menace” in the second paragraph mean?| A．Chance. | B．Challenge. |
| C．Gift. | D．Danger. |
| A．3,500 black bears were killed in Florida. |
| B．The wolf can’t be killed in Switzerland. |
| C．The sorrow is protected in China. |
| D．Three old Chinese men’s loss was made up for. |
| A．Protecting animals needs hard work. |
| B．Zhou was good at feeding wild animals. |
| C．Zhou had a good relationship with local people. |
| D．Protecting animals can bring economic development. |
| A．Humans can kill animals when their interests are harmed. |
| B．We should pay more attention to the future than the present. |
| C．We should consider both the environmental and human interests. |
| D．It’s easy to find proper ways to solve environmental problems. |
9 . Welcome to your future life!
You get up in the morning and look into the mirror. Your face is firm and young-looking. In 2035, medical technology is better than ever. Many people at your age could live to be 150, so at 40, you’re not old at all. And your parents just had an anti-aging(抗衰老的) treatment. Now, all three of you look the same age!
You say to your shirt, “Turn red.” It changes from blue to red. In 2035, “smart clothes” contain particles(粒子) much smaller than the cells(细胞) in your body. The particles can be programmed to change your clothes’ color or pattern(样式).
You walk into the kitchen. You pick up the milk, but a voice says,“ You shouldn’t drink that!” Your fridge has read the chip (芯片) that contains information about the milk , and it knows the milk is old . In 2035, every article of food in the grocery store has such a chip.
It’s time to go to work. In 2035, cars drive themselves. Just tell your “smart car” where to go. On the way, you can call a friend using your jacket sleeve. Such “smart technology” is all around you.
So will all these things come true? “For new technology to succeed,” says scientist
Andrew Zolli ,“it has to be so much better that it replaces what we have already.” The Internet is one example—what will be the next?
1. We can learn from the text that in the future__________.| A．people will never get old |
| B．everyone will look the same |
| C．red will be the most popular color |
| D．clothes will be able to change their pattern |
| A．Food in the grocery store will carry electronic information. |
| B．More drinks will be given for sale. |
| C．Milk in the grocery store will stay fresh much longer. |
| D．Milk will be harmful to health. |
| A．Cars will be able to drive automatically(自动地). |
| B．Fridges will know what people need. |
| C．Jacket sleeves can be used as a guide. |
| D．Nothing can replace the Internet. |
| A．Food and clothing in 2035 |
| B．The reason for the success of new technology. |
| C．Medical treatments of the future. |
| D．Future technology in everyday life. |
10 . Some Famous Libraries in the World
The Royal Library of AlexandriaThe Royal Library of Alexandria in Alexandria, Egypt is probably known as the largest and the most famous library in the ancient world. It is said that the ancient library was burned three times over the centuries. A likeness of the ancient library was built in Alexandria and was opened on October 16，2002.
Celsus LibraryCelsus Library was built in what had been a monument tomb of the governor of the Province of Asia, Celsus Polemaeanus in Ephesus, Turkey. It used to be the third richest of ancient times in the world，which had more than 12,000 works of art, but it was destroyed in wars, leaving some ruins. Even so, it is now still so world-famous for its beautiful structure that many visitors come to see it. There is a statue of Athena at its entrance as she is the Goddess of Wisdom. It remains delicate and appealing.
Bodleian LibraryBodleian Library is attached to Oxford University and mainly used as a research library. It is also a copyright library, which means it has a right to every book published in the United Kingdom. The library was designed by the architect, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Construction was completed in 1940.
The British LibraryThe British Library was set up in 1973 and is one of the world’s greatest libraries. This library has PACCAR gallery of living and workshop of words. The sounds and images offer shows and different programs at the theme exhibitions. They also have a wide collection of stamps of the world which are on show for visitors. The library also offers events like music and discussions.
1. Which of the following libraries has been reconstructed?| A．The Royal Library of Alexandria. | B．Celsus Library. |
| C．Bodleian Library. | D．The British Library. |
| A．Read books. | B．Borrow books. |
| C．See a stamp exhibition. | D．Enjoy the beautiful remains. |
| A．It belongs to a university. |
| B．It was once destroyed by fires. |
| C．It is one of the famous ancient libraries. |
| D．It is well-known for its beautiful structure. |
