1 . The M3 Challenge is a contest that gives high schoolers the chance to experience working as a team to deal with a practical problem within limited time. The challenge is meant to give high schoolers a sense of the kinds of problems faced by professional mathematicians working in the real world. Students who are gifted at coding (编程) might consider this competition since extra credit awards are available for teams who include outstanding code as part of their solution.
High school juniors and seniors from anywhere in the U. S. are welcome to participate in the M3 Challenge. Teams of students must consist of three to five people and at least one teacher-coach. Another cool thing? The M3 Challenge is. entirely online until the final round, and there are no participation fees !.
At the end of the M3 Challenge, six teams are identified and invited to present their work in New York City. The finalist teams are also eligible to receive cash awards, which are as follows:
◆ M3 Challenge Champions (Summa Cum Laude Team Prize) $ 20,000
◆ M3 Challenge Runner Up (Magna Cum Laude Team Prize) $ 15,000
◆ M3 Challenge Third Place (Cum Laude Team Prize) $ 10,000
◆ M3 Challenge Finalist (Meritorious Team Prize) $ 5,000 (3 teams)
In addition to these top prizes, there are also awards in the amount of $ 1,500 and $ 1,000 for semi-finalist and honorable mention teams respectively. Finally, Challenge finalists, semi-finalists, and honorable mention teams may be invited to submit applications for summer internships in STEM.
1. What's the purpose of the M3 Challenge?| A．To promote coding. |
| B．To select math professionals. |
| C．To solve difficult math problems. |
| D．To enrich high schoolers' knowledge. |
| A．Having only one coach in a team. |
| B．Coming from a remote U. S. state. |
| C．Including eight students in a team. |
| D．Failing to pay the participation fees. |
| A．$ 1,000. | B．$ 1,500. | C．$ 5,000. | D．$ 10,000. |
2 . The definition of community has evolved (升华)for me from childhood to the young adult I am now. My mom was born in America but both her parents were from the Bahamas. It was their culture to take care of the elderly and the sick. And my mom has taught me to be caring to those around us because we're all a part of the "community" , an extension of family.
When I was 9 years old, my family moved to Cape Coral, Florida. Both mom and dad worked full-time, so they registered me to attend an after-school program at the Youth Center. Youth counselors (辅导员) would help me with my homework and play games with me and this was where my interest took root. Community service started with me giving back at the Youth Center.
Then illness struck at home. My grandmother had to have heart surgery and needed hospital treatment. This experience brought me to volunteer at Cape Coral Hospital. I asked if I could learn from the nurse how to give my grandma her medicine and it started here.
I loved being at Cape Coral Hospital. I would bring paperwork to other doctors, bring food to the patients, and make sure the patients were attended. I would help direct visitors to see patients. I would always tell what would cheer the patients up because I had built a relationship with them and their loved ones. I grew to feel the hospital was a part of my community.
After volunteering at the Youth Center and at the Hospital, I've learned that people become sort of an extended family when you care about them. Now I am more considerate of those close to me, neighbors and even strangers who share my resources.
1. Who might be the first to expose the author to the sense of community?| A．Counselors at the Youth Center. |
| B．Nurses at Cape Coral Hospital. |
| C．Her grandparents. |
| D．Her mother. |
| A．They were too busy to take care of her. |
| B．They wanted her to do community service. |
| C．The author couldn't finish her homework on her own. |
| D．Becoming a counselor was the author's childhood dream. |
| A．Cheer the patients up. |
| B．Bring food to the patients. |
| C．Help direct visitors to see patients. |
| D．Serve medicine to her grandmother. |
| A．I Love Volunteering | B．Community Is Family |
| C．My Volunteer Experiences | D．My Community and My Family |
3 . At any moment, about half the world's population is wearing denim （牛仔布）. But few realize tiny bits of denim have been adding up to a surprising amount of pollution in water, as a new study shows.
Sam Athey, one of the study's authors, says, “Even though denim is made of a natural material — cotton — it contains chemicals. " Cotton fibers are treated with many types of chemicals, she notes. Some improve its durability and feel. Others give denim its distinctive blue color.
Athey and her team washed jeans and found that about 50,000 microfibers come off from each pair per wash. Not all of those fibers make their way into the environment. Wastewater treatment plants catch about 83 to 99 percent of them. Catching 99 percent may sound pretty good. But one percent of 50,000 is still 500 fibers per wash. And since every pair of jeans is washed again and again, it still adds up to lots of microfibers entering water environments.
Denim microfibers showed up in sediment （沉淀物）from the Great Lakes. More of these fibers polluted a series of shallow lakes in southern Ontario. They even turned up in sediment from the Arctic Ocean in northern Canada. The team found denim accounted for 12 to 23 percent of microfibers in the sediment. There were other microfibers too. But the team focused on denim because so many people wear jeans.
"Everyone wears jeans so they could be our largest input of microfibers into our streams and soils,“ Athey says. "An easy way to limit that is by washing our jeans less often.” Athey grew up thinking she should wash her jeans after every couple of wearings, but most jean companies recommend washing them no more than once a month “The solution is not that you shouldn't wear jeans," she says. "We need to buy fewer denim clothes and only wash them when they truly need it. ”
1. Why are chemicals used to deal with cotton according to the passage?| A．To lessen it harm. | B．To remove its blue color. |
| C．To make it into denim. | D．To prevent fibers from falling. |
| A．Chemicals | B．Microfibers. |
| C．Jeans. | D．Plants. |
| A．The wide uses of denim. |
| B．The types of water pollution. |
| C．The large water area of Canada. |
| D．The seriousness of denim pollution. |
| A．Avoid wearing jeans. | B．Wash jeans more often. |
| C．Reduce denim consumption. | D．Limit input in denim production. |
4 . Summer job offers
Red Lemon shop Assistants(售货员)
We are looking for shop assistants for the summer. If you are a social person and good at salesmanship, we want you to join our team. Good conditions. Perfect for students.
Phone 0151-897-6643 for information about how to apply.
Cinerama Cinemas
We need people to work evenings and at the weekend. Responsibilities include checking tickets and selling popcorn and soft drinks. Watch the latest films ... free! Join our young and friendly team!
Phone 0161-754-6022 for more information about wages (工资)and conditions.
US Au Pairs
Ever wanted to visit California? Are you patient, caring and good with kids? Work as an au pair in Los Angeles this summer. Free food and accommodation(食宿).
Phone 0121-077, 2001 for information about how to get application forms(申请表).
Are You Mad About Sport?
Would you like to spend all summer teaching sport to people from around the world? Then come and work at our international sports camp Sports Star Camp!
Phone 0191-121-5533 for information about how to get and where to send application forms, etc.
1. Which number can you call if you want to get a job that provides free films?| A．0151-897-6643. | B．0161-754-6022. | C．0121-077-2001. | D．0191-121-5533. |
| A．It is a high-paid job. | B．It is perfect for kids. |
| C．It offers job-related training. | D．It requires somebody with patience. |
| A．Jill, who dreams of being a sports star. |
| B．Jack, who wants to become a sports coach. |
| C．Joe, who expects to travel around the world. |
| D．Jim, who loves to take part in sports competitions. |
5 . Have you ever run into a careless cell phone user on the street? Perhaps they were busy talking, texting or checking updates on WeChat without looking at what was going on around them. As the number of this new “species” of human has kept rising, they have been given a new name — phubbers (低头族).
Recently, a cartoon made by students from China Central Academy of Fine Arts put this group of people under the spotlight. In the short film, phubbers with various social identities（身份）are buried in their phones. A doctor plays with his cell phone while letting his patient die, a pretty woman takes selfie (自拍照)in front of a car accident site, and a father loses his child without knowing about it while using his mobile phone. A chain of similar events eventually leads to the destruction of the world.
Although the ending sounds overstated (夸大), the damage phubbing can bring is real. Your health is the first to bear the effect and result of it. “Continuously stretching (伸展) your head to check your cell phone could damage your neck,” Guangming Daily quoted doctors as saying, “the neck is like a rope that breaks after long-term stretching.” Also, staring at cell phones for long periods of time will damage your eyesight gradually, according to the report.
But that’s not all. Being a phubber could also damage your social skills and drive you away from your friends and family. At reunions with family or friends, many people tend to（往往） stick to their cell phones while others are chatting happily with each other and this creates a strange atmosphere, Qilu Evening News reported.
It can also cost you your life. There have been lots of reports on phubbers who fell to their death, suffered accidents, and were robbed (抢劫) of their cell phones in broad daylight.
1. The author gives the example of a cartoon in Paragraph 2 ________________.| A．to advertise the cartoon made by students. |
| B．to inform people of the bad effects of phubbing. |
| C．to show the world will finally be destroyed by phubbers. |
| D．to warn doctors against using cell phones while treating patients. |
| A．hide | B．use | C．cover | D．pay all attention to |
| A．His social skills could be affected. |
| B．His neck and eyesight will be gradually harmed. |
| C．He will cause the destruction of the world. |
| D．He might get separated from his friends and family. |
| A．negative (消极的). | B．supportive. |
| C．optimistic. | D．objective (客观的). |
6 . Lonely Planet collected a list of the top 10 countries to visit in 2020, taking you from blue Caribbean waters to thick European forests and beyond. Here are the destinations(目的地) not to miss.
1. Sri Lanka
Known for its timeless ruins and culture, attractive beaches and welcoming people, Sri Lanka is a key destination for anyone looking for a relaxing vacation full of beach lounging(懒散地躺着), wellness retreats（疗养院）and flavorful food to explorers in search of the next greatest sight.
When to visit: Sri Lanka is busiest December through March. However, the best weather can usually be found in April and September.
2. Germany
From cities filled with museums and nightlife to beautiful wildlife, Germany has something for everyone. Some tourist favorites include Berlin’s Museum Island, the Berlin Wall, The Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, and the Black Forest.
When to visit: Germany is most popular among tourists in July and August. Lonely Planet recommends heading over in the fall and spring.
3. Zimbabwe
The attraction of Zimbabwe is all about its gorgeous landscapes and extensive wildlife. Victoria Falls National Park is among the best spectacles to see in this southern African country. Take view of the rushing, mile-long waterfall from Devil’s Pool, a natural infinity pool next to the fall, and peer at its 328 feet drop.
When to visit: April and October bring sunny days and clear, cold nights, while July through September is the best time for wildlife viewing and white-water activities.
4. Panama
The country may be small, but there is a lot to do and see in Panama. Panama City is a diverse and busy city, and it is celebrating its 500th anniversary in 2020 by throwing a huge celebration.
When to visit: High season in Panama is during public holidays, such as Christmas and Easter. The best prices seen are usually between mid-April and early December.
1. Which country will you choose if you want to admire beaches?| A．Germany. | B．Sri Lanka. | C．Zimbabwe. | D．Panama. |
| A．April. | B．October. | C．August. | D．December. |
| A．Buy with least money. | B．Spend public holidays. |
| C．Join in a huge celebration. | D．Meet high season. |
7 . The end of the school year was in sight and spirits were high. I was back teaching after an absence of 15 years, dealing with the various kinds of "forbidden fruit" that come out of book bags. Now was the spring of the water pistol.
I decided to think up a method of dealing with forbidden fruit.
"Please bring that pistol to me," I said. "I'm going to put it in my Grandma's Box."
"What's that?" they asked.
"It's a large wooden chest full of toys for my grandchildren," I replied,
"You don't have grandchildren," someone said.
"I don't now." I replied. "But someday I will. When I do, my box will be full of wonderful things for them."
My imaginary Grandma's Box worked like magic that spring, and later. Sometimes. students would ask me to describe all the things I had in it. Then I would try to remember the different possessions I supposedly had taken away—since I seldom actually kept them. Usually the offender would appear at the end of the day, and I would return the belonging.
The-years went by, and my first grandchild Gordon was born. I shared my joy with that year's class. Then someone said, "Now you can use your Grandma's Box." From then on instead of coming to ask their possessions back, the students would say, "That's okay. Put it in your Grandma's Box for Gordon."
I loved talking about the imaginary box, not only with my students but also with my own children. They enjoyed hearing about all the forbidden fruit I had collected. Then one Christmas I received a surprise gift—a large, beautifully made wooden chest. My son Bruce had made my Grandma's Box a reality.
1. What was the author's purpose in having the conversation with the students?| A．To collect the water pistol. | B．To talk about her grandchildren. |
| C．To recommend some toys. | D．To explain her teaching method. |
| A．The student's parent. | B．The maker of the Grandma's Box. |
| C．The author's grandchild. | D．The owner of the forbidden fruit. |
| A．They went to play with the baby. | B．They asked to see the Grandma's Box. |
| C．They made a present for Gordon. | D．They stopped asking their toys back. |
| A．She enjoys telling jokes. | B．She is a strict and smart teacher. |
| C．She loves doing woodwork. | D．She is a responsible grandmother |
8 . Pali Overnight Adventures offers children and teens exciting experiences this summer. From broadcasting to street art, these are just 4 of the 17 highly unique camps being offered.
Broadcasting Camp
Become the next star reporter, news writer, director or producer. While running every aspect of our own news station, kids and their fellow campers will create and host a broadcast airing each night at dinner for the entire camp. Every night it goes on the web, keeping parents and the world informed of the happenings at Pali.
Secret Agent Camp
In the movie Mission Impossible, Tom Cruise made being a secret agent seem like the coolest job ever. Campers who sign up for the 2-week secret agent camp can get to know about the life of real secret agents by learning strategies and military skills on the paintball field.
Culinary Camp
If your child enjoys being in the kitchen, then the culinary camp is definitely the right fit. Campers learn technical skills of roasting, frying and cutting, as well as some recipes that they can take home and share with their families.
Street Art Camp
This camp takes creative license to an entirely new level. Campers will share their colorful ideas and imagination with each other and work together to visualize, sketch and paint with non-traditional techniques to create the coolest mural which will be displayed in public for all to see.
1. How many camps does Pali Overnight Adventures offer this summer?| A．2. | B．4. | C．17. | D．21. |
| A．Create a website. | B．Run a news station. |
| C．Meet a star reporter. | D．Hold a dinner party. |
| A．Broadcasting Camp. | B．Secret Agent Camp. |
| C．Culinary Camp | D．Street Art Camp. |
9 . When Emanuel received an email from Professor Richard English. Queen’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the School of History, Anthropology,Philosophy and Politics, encouraging him to apply for a PhD in Politics in Belfast, it was a pinch-me moment Emanual never thought would be possible. After all, just a few short years ago, he was living on the streets couch-surfing at friends’ houses and weeding gardens to make ends meet. Now, one of the world’s leading political academics was preparing to welcome him to Queen’s University over 4,000 miles away.
Emanuel never knew who his father was and his mom was mentally ill when she gave birth to him, so the hospital took him off her and he was unofficially adopted for the first few years of his life. What followed was a childhood with uncertainty as Emanuel was passed between the adoption system and family members.
Through his high school and community college years, he moved from house to house, living with friends at times and living on the streets at others.
Determined to change all that despite his rocky start in life, Emanuel involved himself in school-doing everything he could to earn extra tuition (学费) money in his spare time. But getting accepted into university was scarcely possible because a person like him couldn’t get a regular student loan.
Fortunately, the government backed him, having created a policy allowing disadvantaged persons to access funding for higher education. He graduated from the University of the West Indies with a 1st Class Honors degree and went on to do his Masters.
Emanuel knows that his story could have been very different.
“I discovered Professor Richard English online and sent him an email honestly, not thinking he would reply and to my surprise, he did. I applied for the highly competitive Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme in order to fund my research at Queen’s. When I was told I was successful, my whole world changed.”
1. What does the underlined word “pinch-me” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Expected. | B．Unbelievable. | C．Awkward. | D．Anxious. |
| A．His father was mentally ill. |
| B．He was abandoned by his mother. |
| C．He was once adopted by his relatives. |
| D．He lived with his friends now and then. |
| A．By receiving a regular student loan. |
| B．By earning the tuition all by himself. |
| C．By borrowing the money from friends. |
| D．By getting support from the government. |
| A．Well begun is half done. |
| B．It’s never too old to learn. |
| C．You are the master of your life. |
| D．Lost time is never found again. |
10 . Xia boyu，70， the first Chinese double amputee （被截肢者） to have reached the top of Mount Qomolangma， the highest mountain in the world， Du Juan reports．
On May 14， 2018， Xia， who is the same age as the People's Republic of china， made his dream come true by reaching the top of Qomolangma （Mount Everest） seven days after leaving Base Camp on the Nepal side of the mountain．
Success didn't come easy． He had failed to reach the 8，844﹣meter peak four times before becoming one of the few double amputees to reach the top of the world．
The first climb by a Chinese team to the peak of Qomolangma was in 1960． Xia， who was born in Chongqing in 1949， was chosen by the Chinese mountaineering team in 1974． In 1975， the second mountaineering team set off． All the teammates finally reached the top， but Xia suffered bad frostbite （W1）in his legs， which had to be amputated at the knees．
"It's beyond imagination how difficult it was to accept the fact that I would suddenly become a disabled person，" Xia recalls． "I could not imagine a future of sitting in a wheelchair， perhaps forever．"
When a doctor told him that with artificial limbs he could live a normal life like anyone else， and he would even be able to do a lot of physical exercise， his hopes rose and he made up his mind to climb Qomolangma again．
To prepare for his fifth attempt（尝试）on Qomolangma， every day he got up at five in the morning and completed 90 minutes of strength training at home． On Mondays， Wednesdays and Fridays he would ride a bike to Fragrant Hills， 30 kilometers from his home， walk to the top and then ride back home． On Tuesdays， Thursdays and Saturdays， he completed 10 km of speed walking．
"Without targets， people lose' direction， "Xia says． So I will keep climbing and contributing more ways to society．"
1. Which is the correct order according to the passage？a． Xia had to be amputated at the knee immediately after the climb．
b． Xia joined the Chinese Mountaineering team．
c． Xia made his dream come true by reaching the top of Qomolangma．
d． Xia tried four times but failed， so he prepared for the fifth．
e． Chinese team set for the first climb to the top of Qomolangma．
| A．e﹣b﹣d﹣c﹣a |
| B．b﹣a﹣e﹣c﹣d |
| C．b﹣e﹣a﹣d﹣c |
| D．e﹣b﹣a﹣d﹣c |
| A．Xia was 27 when he first climbed qomolangma． |
| B．Xia was 72 when he made his dream come true． |
| C．The Base camp lay on the Chinese side of the mountain． |
| D．Xia reached the top of the world in 2018． |
| A．Xia felt it unimaginable to be sitting in a wheelchair all his life． |
| B．Xia lost hope after a doctor explained about his artificial limbs． |
| C．it took Xia a long time to make full preparations for his fifth attempt． |
| D．Xia had failed to reach the peak four times before his fifth attempt． |
| A．Plans． |
| B．Aims． |
| C．Wills． |
| D．Hopes． |
| A．Travel journal． |
| B．TV Interview． |
| C．News report． |
| D．Short story． |
