1 . Friendship is an important part of human life. Friends can share our joys and sadnesses. We aren't alone. Many different animals also make friends.

Recently, a British research team finished an eight-year study of Indo-Pacific dolphins off the coast of Western Australia. These dolphins can use different tools to search for food. The researchers found that these dolphins are more willing to hang out with partners that like the same tool. Other factors, like family closeness or sex, have no impact on this relationship. It suggests that dolphins form social bonds based on shared interests.

Apart from dolphins, elephants and horses are also known to form friendships. Are friendships only limited to the same species?

Of course not, The Atlantic reported. In 2015,Timur, a goat, was left in the enclosure（围场） of a tiger, Amur, as a meal. But instead of eating Timur, Amur liked to play with him and got angry when others were close to his friend. That's because in captivity(圈养）, animals don't need to spend much time and energy marking their land or looking for mates the way they would in the wild. They are actually more likely to feel bored.

More interestingly, animals not only make friends but also try to keep lasting friendships. Take bats for example. In 2011, scientists found bats often hang out with a few particular friends, keeping loose ties to the rest of their group. Humans are different. "We do not work, play and live together with the same friends all the time," Swiss zoologist Gerald Kerth explained. "But nevertheless, we are able to maintain long-term despite our often highly dynamic（充满活力的）social lives."

1. What do dolphins pay more attention to when making friends?

A．The same interests.	B．Family closeness.
C．Hunting behavior.	D．The special sounds.

2. How can we understand Amur's action?

A．Amur wants to show Timur his land.

B．Amur longs for animals to play with him.

C．Amur has more friends than other tigers.

D．Amur pretends to be friendly to eat Timur.

3. In terms of friendship, what is the difference between humans and bats?

A．Bats usually play with certain friends.

B．Humans keep their friendship longer.

C．Bats like to live together with friends.

D．Humans make friends in social activities.

4. How is the text mainly developed?

A．By listing data.	B．By taking examples.
C．By asking questions.	D．By giving advice.

2 . Nao, a small robot, looks like a person. If Nao begged you not to shut it off, what would you do?

Scientists did a study to see how people treat robots that act like people. Eighty-nine people volunteered for the study. They were asked to help to improve Nao’s social skills by finishing two tasks with it.

The tasks with the robot didn’t matter, though. What the scientists really wanted to see was how the participants reacted once the tasks were over. They were asked to talk with Nao and finally shut Nao off but it was not easy to do. Some people did not want to turn the robot off while others took a long time to do it.

People often communicate with non-human objects such as TVs and computers nowadays. But robots seem more like humans. Robots can show social characters themselves, like speaking with human voices or taking the shape of a human body. Scientists said people might have seen Nao’s cries as a sign of independent thought. In turn, this could have led people to see the robot as having the human-like character.

For thousands of years, humans lived in a world where they were the only ones who could have conversations. Our brains learned to react to social situations in a certain way. But our brains are not used to telling the difference between real people and fake people. The robot expressed feelings and desires and that got people to want to treat the robot as if it were alive.

1. Why did scientists use Nao in the study?

A．To communicate with humans.	B．To improve people’s social skills.
C．To help people finish their daily tasks.	D．To learn about how people react to robots.

2. What did participants do when asked to turn off Nao?

A．All of them refused to turn it off.	B．All of them found it hard to operate it.
C．Not all of them took action immediately.	D．All of them followed the order soon.

3. Compared with TVs, robots         .

A．often depend on humans	B．are more similar to humans
C．have independent thought	D．know well about different voices

4. What is the main idea of the passage?

A．How people treat human-like robots.

B．Robots will replace humans.

C．The relationship between humans and robots.

D．Compare robots with TVs and computers.

3 . In the UK, electric and other low-emission（低排放）cars, vans, and buses could be given special green plates to encourage more people to buy such cars, and promote awareness for “clean” cars.

Strange as it may seem, there is some reason to believe that something as small as this could make a big difference. Already, similar ideas have been put into effect in Norway, Canada, Latvia, and China, and the results have been encouraging.

Elisabeth Costa, director of the Behavioural Insights Team, explains, “Simple changes based on behavioral science can have a big impact. Green plates would be more noticeable to road users, and this increased attraction can help normalise the idea of clean vehicles, highlighting（使突出）the changing social norms（规范）around vehicle ownership.”

Actually, hybrids and electric cars accounted for 5.5% of the cars sold in the UK in the first half of the year, compared to 4.2% for the same period in 2017.

However, colored plates can only go so far. At the end of the day, you need strong, concrete（具体的）measures if you want to support a market like electric cars. The UK already has generous allowances for electric cars, but a study for the RAC Foundation found that the lack of reliable, easy-to-use charging stations is the main roadblock to people purchasing more electric cars. This was repeated by separate research from AA, the UK’s largest motorist association, which found that although 1 in 2 young drivers want electric cars, 8 out of 10 drivers feel that the lack of adequate electrical chargers is the main reason not to buy an electric car.

Yet this all shows that more and more people are nearing a tipping point where they are willing to buy electric cars. And a small PR stunt（噱头）, the “coolness factor” of the colored plates could end up making a difference. Similarly, having red plates for the more polluting cars might also play a role.

A spokesman for the Environmental Transport Association said, “While green number plates will be positive PR for low-emission car makers and early adopters of the technology alike, to be truly effective any such measures will need to at the same time shame the drivers of the most polluting vehicles.”

1. Why does the UK give green license plates to cars?

A．To promote car sales.

B．To beautify the environment in the UK.

C．To separate “clean” cars from polluting cars.

D．To inspire people to buy low-emission vehicles.

2. What does the underlined sentence “colored plates can only go so far” mean?

A．The results of giving colored plates are discouraging.

B．The measures of giving colored plates will be at an end.

C．Giving colored plates has a limited impact on promoting “clean” cars.

D．Giving colored plates will be replaced by strong, concrete measures.

3. Why do most drivers choose not to buy an electric car?

A．Allowances for electric cars are not attractive.

B．They aren’t fond of the green color.

C．Charging stations are not readily available.

D．Electric cars are unaffordable to them.

4. What did the spokesman for the Environmental Transport Association focus on?

A．Banning people from buying polluting cars.

B．Continuing the use of green number plates.

C．Replacing green plates with red ones.

D．Shaming the drivers of polluting cars into buying “clean” cars.

4 . Non-Credit Courses

The Pre-College Program offers non-credit courses. Students will experience college-level courses given by some of our college’s leading experts and will receive written feedback (反馈) on their work at the end of the course. Pre-College students will also receive a grade of Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory and a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the program.

All non-credit courses meet from 9:00 a. m.-11:30 a. m. daily and may have additional requirements in the afternoons or evenings.

COURSE: Case Studies in Neuroscience

·June 11— July 2

·Leah Roesch

Using student-centered, active-learning methods and real-world examples, this course is designed to provide a fuller understanding of how the human brain works.

COURSE: Psychology of Creativity

·June 15—June 28

·Marshall Duke

Why are certain people so creative? Is it genetic (遗传的), or a result of childhood experience? Are they different from everyone else? This popular psychology course highlights the different theories of creativity.

COURSE: Creative Storytelling

·June 21 — July 3

·Edith Freni

This college-level course in creative storytelling functions as an introduction to a variety of storytelling techniques that appear in different forms of creative writing, such as short fiction and playwriting.

COURSE: Sports Economics

·July 19 — August 1

·Christina DePasquale

In this course we will analyze many interesting aspects of the sports industry: sports leagues, ticket pricing, salary negotiations, discrimination, and NCAA policies to name a few.

1. Who is the text intended for?

A．The general public.	B．College freshmen.
C．Educational experts.	D．High school students.

2. Which course can you take if you are free only in June?

A．Sports Economics.	B．Creative Storytelling.
C．Psychology of Creativity.	D．Case Studies in Neuroscience.

3. Whose course should you choose if you are interested in creative writing?

A．Leah Roesch’s.	B．Edith Freni’s.
C．Marshall Duke’s.	D．Christina DePasquale’s.

5 . Have you ever thought about writing your own fantasy novel? One of the best things you can do is to take inspiration from others. Here are some of the best fantasy books for you.

Sabriel by Garth Nix

While attending boarding school, Sabriel receives a package which contains bells, her father's swords, and a message instructing her to stop a dangerous act on destroying the Old Kingdom' S magical rules. This classic fantasy provides readers with more adventures to explore.

Also available from: Amazon ; Walmart.

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

This book is about ideas of justice, good and bad. Jam lives in the town of Lucille, where the old statues have been torn down and the bad things no longer exist. But when a creature named Pet appears from one of her mother's paintings, on the hunt for a monster, Jam will have to rethink all she's been taught.

Also available from: Amazon; Barnes & Noble.

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor

Fans of Harry Potter will be swept away by this adventurous tale about four new friends who discover they have access to powerful magic. Born in New York City, Sunny Nwazue felt out of place and isolated-until she was invited into a hidden world and handed a dangerous task.

Also available from: Amazon; Walmart.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

This novel takes readers into a world where dragons and humans live side by side. Seraphina is half human and half dragon, with a dragon mother able to take human form and a human father who can't stand dragons. Seraphina will probably become a teen fantasy classic.

Also available from: Bookshop; Target.

1. Which book describes a creature hunting for a monster?

A．Pet.

B．Sabriel.

C．Akata Witch.

D．Seraphina.

2. Which character was born in the city of New York?

A．Jam.

B．Sabriel.

C．Seraphina.

D．Sunny Nwazue.

3. Where can you buy a copy of Seraphina?

A．From Amazon.	B．From Target.
C．From Walmart.	D．From Barnes & Noble.

6 . The terraced rapeseed(油菜)flower hills of Jiangling, Wuyuan is well-known as one of the four “seas of flowers” in China, attracting thousands of plant-loving tourists to come and appreciate and photograph the vast and endless rapeseed flower fields.

“Rapeseed flowers are the messenger of spring,” said Bin Zhan, manager of Jiangxi Wuyuan Tourism, “Jiangling is the best place for a relaxing spring trip to enjoy the most visually impressive views of golden seas of rapeseed blossoms covering layered terrace fields”.

The rapeseed blossom in the terraced fields of Jiangling, located 45 kilometres to the northeast of Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province, reached full bloom in the second week of March.

This year. Wuyuan restores ancient farming traditions and practices to give visitors an idea or the history ，culture and folk customs of the county by adding scarecrows(稻草人) in the rapeseed flower fields. The creative scarecrows of Wuyuan County are designed in the shapes of popular cartoon characters, Hui-style architecture and folk customs. They are placed in the rapeseed fields to provide more fun and interactions for visitors on flower viewing tours.

“As flower viewing is becoming more popular in recent years, Jiangling is seeing a growing number of returning visitors, especially professional photograph who come back every year for the dramatic rapeseed blossoms,” Zhan said. “The blossoms only last one to two months. April is the last chance to catch a flower-viewing tour this year.”

In addition to flower viewing, Wuyuan County is also home to the most well-protected ancient Hui-style architecture in China. As one of the most beautiful countryside villages in China, it attracts photographers from around the world every year to document not only the natural scenery, but also the unique farming culture and folk traditions.

1. Which is NOT one of the features of the rapeseed blossoms of Jiangling？

A．The rapeseed fields cover a limited area.

B．The rapeseed is planted on layered terraces.

C．Rapeseed flowers blossom, at the beginning of spring.

D．When the flowers blossom, the fields are like a golden sea.

2. What does the underlined word “They” refer to？

A．Folk customs.	B．Hui-style buildings.
C．Creative scarecrows.	D．Models of popular cartoon characters.

3. What can we infer from Paragraph 5？

A．Returning visitors get discount when entering Jiangling.

B．Visitors could catch the last flower viewing tour in May.

C．It is in March and April that Jiangling has the most visitors.

D．Not many professional photographers will go to see the blossoms.

4. What is the writing purpose of this article？

A．To introduce Wuyuan County as a tourist destination.

B．To report how many people visited Jiangling this year.

C．To introduce the history of rapeseed farming in Jiangling.

D．To remind visitors the best viewing time for rapeseed blossoms.

7 . One day about eight years ago in the departure lounge (休息室) of a flight from New York's LaGuardia airport to O'Hare in Chicago, I found a young boy in tears and his mother at his side also appeared upset, I walked to them and invited them to our VIP lounge.

As it turned out, the boy, Miles and his mom were returning to their home in Kansas City. Miles has had some health problems. Though he had received more than thirty operations in a Jewish Hospital in New York, he would be back for more.

Miles enjoyed spending his time in our VIP lounge looking at the entire wall filled with the pictures of many celebrities (名人) who often came to our office. We soon added Miles' picture to the wall among those celebrities.

Among the celebrities, Miles like the country singer Garth Brooks best. Miles would just sit and stare at Garth's picture,

One day, Mr. Brooks was waiting in the lounge for his flight. As he looked at the collection of photographs, Garth asked about the youngster with the big smile. We told him about Miles. We also told him how much Miles loved and respected (尊重) him. He nodded and left.

About six months later, Garth was going to be performing in Kansas City and he asked our workers to help him get in touch with the family. He wanted Miles to be his guest. That evening, not only did Miles sit in the front row, but he and Garth also had a private meeting after the performance.

Although Miles would receive many more treatments after that special evening, his smile greeted us with every following visit. The face of a sick boy was changed by the joy of a stranger.

1. What does the author probably do?

A．A worker at an airport.	B．A killed photographer.
C．A country music singer.	D．A doctor in a Jewish hospital.

2. What did Miles enjoy doing in the VIP lounge?

A．Interviewing celebrities he saw there.

B．Seeing pictures of celebrities on the wall.

C．Drawing pictures of the celebrities there.

D．Singing together with his favorite singer.

3. Which words can best describe Garth Brooks?

A．Determined and generous.	B．Proud and selfish.
C．Kind and helpful.	D．Powerful and rich.

4. What can be the best title for the text?

A．Importance of Good Service	B．Kindness from Strangers
C．A Serious Health Problem	D．A Helpless Mother

8 . Morris, a well-known English violinist, had been exhausted from a day of recording at Abbey Road Studios when he exited the Southeastern Railway from London late last month. He was so tired that he didn’t even realize that he had left his beloved violin on the train until the following morning.

The violin is one of the few surviving instruments made by Roman craftsman David Tecchler in 1709. Not only is the violin worth$320,000,but Morris has also been playing the instrument for 15 years.

Feeling panic, Morris contacted the British Transport Police to see if it had been returned; unfortunately, officers checked the footage(录像) and saw that the violin had been picked up by another train passenger. Morris then created social media accounts to beg for the return of his instrument. The footage was shown in the news, and the person responsible for taking the violin was treated as a suspect.

Several days later, Morris received a phone call from someone who recognized the man on the train. Morris was then put in contact with the man who took the violin—and he had apparently been very eager to return the instrument. After promising the man that he wouldn’t be arrested, Morris met him in a parking lot so he could reunite with his beloved instrument.

The man apologized sincerely, saying he wanted to hand it to Morris in person. Morris found the instrument and the contents of its case were still in consummate condition. To his surprise, it was even still in tune(音调准确). Morris was excited and deeply grateful for its return.

“I’m still getting over the shock of its coming back,” Morris admitted in an interview afterwards. Then he played a breathtaking piece of music Amazing Grace on his 310-year-old violin in front of the reporters.

1. What can we learn about the lost violin?

A．It’s valuable and important.	B．It’s a gift from David Tecchler.
C．It’s the only violin Morris owns.	D．It’s the oldest violin in the world.

2. What did Morris do first after he found his violin missing?

A．He spoke to reporters about it.	B．He turned to the police for help.
C．He described his situation online.	D．He returned to the train to look for it.

3. What do we know about the man who took the violin away?

A．He knew the violin was unique.	B．He got in touch with Morris directly.
C．He was unwilling to return the violin.	D．He felt afraid to be punished for his act.

4. What does the underlined word “consummate” in Paragraph 5 probably mean?

A．Unusual.

B．Poor.

C．Perfect.

D．General.

9 . Have you ever noticed that the stars sometimes appear brighter in December, January and February? There's a link between cold air and the night lights. "Part of it is that it tends to be drier in the winter," said Diane Tumshek, an astronomer at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Even though it's invisible, moisture can change the way light moves through the air. And in the summer, moisture can make stars appear more dull.

Air temperature is also what puts the twinkle twinkle in the little stars. "Even on very clear nights, some of the atmosphere is cooler, and some of the atmosphere is warmer,” said Tumshek, who also works with the Allegheny Observatory. And when the light from a star passes through those bubbles of varying temperatures, "it bends and shifts the light, so that we are seeing stars appear to dance or twinkle,” she said.

For star lovers in the United States, there's another factor that comes into play for bright winter stars, although this is a matter of coincidence. During Earth's journey around the sun, “there are just simply more bright stars visible from the Northern Hemisphere in the winter sky," Tumshek said. If you really want to see a shiny star, just try to find a burning ball of gas called Sirius near the horizon. At 8.6 light-years away, Sirius is relatively close to Earth and the brightest star visible in the night sky. It is also large — nearly twice as big as our sun and 20 times as bright. So this winter, when the world turns cold and it seems like we should be spending more time indoors, consider asking an adult to go exploring outside. With a warm coat and a clear sky, any night can be turned into a treasure hunt. All you have to do is look up.

1. What does the underlined word "dull" in Paragraph 1 probably mean?

A．not shiny

B．not exciting

C．not severe

D．not smart

2. How does air temperature influence the brightness of stars?

A．By changing the bubbles around them.	B．By putting the twinkle twinkle in them.
C．By varying the direction of the light from them.	D．By making the stars dance and twinkle in the sky.

3. What do we know about Sirius?

A．It can be found at any night.	B．It is 20 times as bright as the sun.
C．It is a burning and shiny ball.	D．It is closer to Earth than other stars,

4. What is the author's purpose in writing the text?

A．To advocate stargazing in winter,	B．To call on people to focus on stars.
C．To present new research results about stars.	D．To explain why stars are more visible in winter.

10 . Mosquitos (蚊子)can cause us serious diseases. Until now. we've used different things to keep them away. But none of these ways actually protect us for more than 20 minutes! Now there is a new way to keep mosquitos away from you ever again without using any chemicals   at all.

What is it all about?

It's called the Mosquitron—a new mosquito catcher or killer. It's very easy to control and it can protect your home from all the mosquitos!

How does it work?

Instead of trying to keep the mosquitos away, it attracts them, then catches them and finally kills them! Basically, it will attract the mosquitos into the Mosquitron, with a completely harmless UV-PT producing light. Next to the UV-PT light is a powerful reverse (反 向的)fan that sucks (吸)the mosquitos through a one-way trapdoor. Once they are trapped in the drying basket« they are dried to death by the fan in 2 minutes.

How much does it cost?

You'd be surprised to find that you can get it right now for just $89. It might seem expensive at first. However, when you compare it with other products which need regular, expensive repair and don't work for more than 10 minutes, it is pretty cheap. In fact, some products using the same UV technology are priced over $250! to buy a mosquitron?

That's very easy. You can only buy it from the supplier's website.
1. Why should we stay away from mosquitos?

A．They produce much noise.	B．They can spread serious diseases.
C．They need a safe environment.	D．They can make dangerous chemicals.

2. How does the Mosquitron clear mosquitos?

A．By watering them in a basket	B．By burying them with hot sand.
C．By attracting and killing them.	D．By giving off strong and harmful light.

3. Where can we buy a mosquitron according to the text?

A．In a computer store.	B．In a supermarket.
C．In a restaurant.	D．On the website.