1 . A study confirmed that the cracks (裂缝) found on the surface of Mars last year by the Curiosity Rover are evidence of ancient lakes that likely dried up about 3.5 billion years ago. The new study provides further evidence of what the climate on the Red Planet may have been like in its ancient past.
The study, published online in Geology, proved that cracks on Mars’s surface previously photographed by Curiosity are dry mud cracks which could have only been formed when wet ground was exposed to the air. This conclusion was based on an analysis of a single area of rock known as “Old Soaker.”
Researchers used the Curiosity Rover and information from its many tools including the Mars Hand Lens Imager, ChemCam Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometer (LIBS) and the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) to study both the physical appearance and the chemistry of the rock, which is described as no bigger than a coffee table.
The analysis showed that cracks on the rock were formed by exposure to air, rather than heat or the flow of water. In addition, the shape of the cracks suggests it experienced a single drying event on the planet, rather than getting wet and drying over repeatedly. The position of the cracks, closer to the center of the ancient lake rather than alongside it, also suggests that the lake levels changed often, rising and falling over time.
“The mud cracks are exciting because they help us to understand this ancient lake system,” lead study author Nathaniel Stein, a geologist at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, said, referring to the ancient lake system on the planet.
Scientists have known of the existence of ancient water on Mars for years. A 2015 NASA study that measured water in Mars’s atmosphere suggested that ancient oceans may once have had more water than our own Arctic Ocean. However, because the planet has less gravity and a thinner atmosphere than Earth, this water evaporated into space over the course of several billion years.
1. What is the Curiosity Rover underlined in Paragraph 1?| A．A research organization. | B．An automatic machine. |
| C．An ancient remain on the planet. | D．A space telescope on earth. |
| A．The cracks are near the center of an ancient lake. |
| B．Mars was getting wet and drying more than once. |
| C．The lake level on Mars seldom changes over time. |
| D．The cracks on the rocks were formed by water flow. |
| A．Ancient water still exists on Mars now. |
| B．The gravity on Mars is stronger than that on Earth. |
| C．The atmosphere on Earth is thicker than that on Mars. |
| D．The ancient Arctic Ocean had more water than it has now. |
| A．Water on Mars. | B．A trip to Mars. |
| C．A study on Mars. | D．Cracks on Mars. |
2 . Two deer jumped out in front of 16-year-old Amanda Floyd’s car. She stepped on the brake, stopping the car just in time. But later, she started texting. Distracted, Amanda turned left and right, then crashed into another car. Luckily, she wasn’t in a real car — she was in a driving simulator at Roosevelt High School, Ohio, US. “I never really realized that cars make a turn that much,” Amanda, a junior, said. She added that she wouldn’t text while driving anymore.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and State Highway Patrol brought the simulator to the school. They said they wanted to help students learn about the danger of driving while drunk, while texting, or while talking on the phone.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed 3,450 1ives in 2016 alone. Experts believe the actual figure is probably higher.
The simulator is basically a computer program. Like many computer games, it was a hit with the students. They lined up and crowded around to watch each other take turns. The simulator has a steering wheel (方向盘) , brake and gas pedal . It is made up of three large computer screens on a table.
Students choose a distraction, such as driving while drunk or texting. They always crash, of course. Then, they are pulled over by the police to be taught the bad results of their driving: how much damage they’ve caused, what their fine is, if anyone died in the accident, and if they’re going to go to prison.
“It teaches how to drive without being on the road,” said Shante Thompson, 16. She had just crashed into a deer.
ODOT spokesman Justin Chesnic said hundreds of kids have gone behind the wheel so far. He said even more have benefited from watching their classmates. “Driving is such a major responsibility, so take it seriously,” he said. “Put away your cellphone. A lot of the accidents out there are because of distracted driving. It can not only change your life, but it can change someone else’s life forever. The results are serious. ”
1. What does the author intend to do in Paragraph 1?| A．Introduce the topic of the text. | B．Show the author’s point of view. |
| C．Provide some advice for the readers. | D．Offer some background information. |
| A．It tests the students’ ability to stay focused. |
| B．It gets students to have fun between classes. |
| C．It teaches students how to deal with traffic accidents. |
| D．It makes students aware of the dangers of distracted driving. |
| A．It is connected to the local police station. |
| B．It is a vehicle with three large computer screens. |
| C．It attracts the students’ interest as a computer program. |
| D．It benefits the students who use it more than those who only watch. |
| A．Traffic Rules in Ohio, US | B．Danger of Distracted Driving |
| C．Simulated Driving for Students | D．Advantages of Computer Programs |
3 . Do you have a prized stuffed animal from your childhood? Is it still in your apartment? If so, you’re not alone. 60% of small children have Teddies and other comfort objects, and up to 35% of adults!
Conventional wisdom from the 1970s suggested kids depending on comfort objects somehow lacked secure attachment to their mothers, and that this dependence would threaten their proper development into well-adjusted adults.
However, not too long ago, studies began to show that comfort objects don’t threaten children’s mental health, and may indeed be developmentally advantageous. Children with comfort objects are less shy and more focused than those without them. This is probably because with their presence, children feel braver and less stressed in unfamiliar situations.
Even newer research shows only when a toy is his or her comfort object do children anthropomorphize it. That is, children don’t really mistakenly believe that all objects around them have inside lives. Having an emotional attachment to the comfort object causes children to think of it as a human-like friend, who they can practice telling stories to and share joy and sorrow with. Sometimes they even think from the perspective of this unnatural friend.
Comfort objects are not just soft things for children to grab when they feel sad or lonely. They mean something special to them. So, far from being “wacky toddler (学步儿童) behavior”, choosing a comfort object and treating it as a sacred part of daily rituals is actually extremely sophisticated behavior on the part of small children. If you have a comfort animal, or meet a kid who has one, let the cuddles (拥抱) begin.
1. What do the numbers in Paragraph 1 suggest?| A．It’s abnormal for adults to own Teddies. |
| B．It’s OK for kids to have comfort objects. |
| C．Kids can get more attached to their toys. |
| D．Having comfort objects is actually common. |
| A．They might be a threat after growing up. |
| B．They might have developmental problems. |
| C．They could hardly grow into healthy adults. |
| D．They could get too attached to their mothers. |
| A．Stuffed toys are intended for wacky toddlers. |
| B．Comfort objects boost innovation in children. |
| C．Children believe all stuffed animals have souls. |
| D．Comfort objects are mentally beneficial to kids. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Unconcerned. | C．Doubtful. | D．Critical. |
4 . Voters in Colorado narrowly approved an initiative (计划), setting the stage for the return of gray wolves, which were wiped out in this area by the 1940s. This is the first time that a state has reintroduced an animal like this.
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife department will lead the effort to establish a sustainable population of gray wolves in the western part of the state, beginning in 2022 or 2023. The Southern Rocky Mountains, where there used to be a lot of them, contain millions of acres of suitable habitat that could support several hundred wolves or more, biologists say.
However, some say it’s unwise to leave the question to voters. “State biologists have previously declined to introduce wolves. There's a reason it's never been done before.” says Shawn Martini, spokesperson for Coloradans for Protecting Wildlife, noting that most supporters are from urban areas and they don't have to live alongside the animal, unlike people living in the countryside. Farmers and hunters don't favor the initiative, either. Farmers worry wolves will kill their cattle while hunters worry they will lose elk (驼鹿) to the predators.
On the other hand, according to Jonathan Proctor, a conservationist with the Defenders of Wildlife, reintroducing wolves will restore Colorado's natural balance. They help thin out sick animals, maintaining healthy populations of deer and elk. The remains of wolf kills also provide food for “eaters of the dead”, including wolverines, eagles, and bears. He also emphasizes the experience of living with wolves in other places, like the Northern Rockies, has shown that wolves are not the threat people sometimes make them out to be. Reintroduction program biologists promise to make it a priority to work with people living alongside wolves, providing training and resources to keep the wolves out of the farms in the first place. And a program will be funded to pay farmers for their lost cattle.
1. What can we learn about the Southern Rocky Mountains from the text?| A．They are heavily populated. | B．They were inhabited by wolves. |
| C．They are in the east of Colorado. | D．They are home to small animals. |
| A．It's unfair to make it happen by voting. |
| B．It's welcomed by urban and rural people. |
| C．State biologists shouldn't have opposed it. |
| D．The wolves should be put somewhere else. |
| A．Buy more cattle. | B．Reach out to the locals. |
| C．Relocate the wolves. | D．Clear the site for wolves. |
| A．Wolves are Coming Home. | B．No Worries about Wolves. |
| C．Always Vote for What is Right. | D．Wolves Help Local Ecosystem. |
5 . Tips for Your Best Visit to Legoland California
•Stay Close
Four hotels are within walking distance of the main gate, the newest of which resembles a medieval castle. Guests get an hour of early access to the theme park.
•Use the App
Not only does Legoland Mobile App function as a map, but shows relatively accurate wait time for every ride and special deals for park shops. You can use it to purchase or upgrade your tickets too.
•Go Fishing
The Sea Life Aquarium is here to impress you with kinds of fishes, rays, sharks, reptiles, and amphibians. Extra admission is required.
•Take a Class
In the Imagination Zone, kids above nine and grown-ups can sign up for free classes to build Lego robots. Younger kids can have fun building race cars and testing them on tracks.
•See a Show
Legoland California rolls out various live entertainment experiences throughout the day. Children particularly will love a 15-minute show where human actors sing and dance their way through a plot from Lego Friends.
In a word, Legoland California is definitely a must-see place. Visit www.legoland.com/California to plan your trip NOW. We're always at your service.
1. How can Legoland Mobile App help?| A．Buy souvenirs. | B．Book hotel rooms. |
| C．Cancel tickets. | D．Show directions. |
| A．Live in a medieval castle. | B．Attend classes with a cost. |
| C．Enjoy music and dance. | D．See some animals for free. |
| A．To offer solutions. | B．To give suggestions. |
| C．To describe a park. | D．To promote a destination. |
6 . Almost every day we come across situations in which we have to make decisions one way or another. Choice, we are given to believe, is a right. But for a good many people in the world, in rich and poor countries, choice is a luxury, something wonderful but hard to get, not a right. And for those who think they are exercising their right to make choices, the whole system is merely an illusion, a false idea created by companies and advertiser, hoping to sell their products.
The endless choice gives birth to anxiety in people’s lives. Buying something as basic as a coffee pot is not exactly simple. Easy access to a wide range of everyday goods leads to a sense of powerlessness in many people, ending in the shopper giving up and walking away, or just buying an unsuitable item that is not really wanted. Recent studies in England have shown that many electrical goods bought in almost every family are not really needed. More difficult decision-making is then either avoided or trusted into the hands of the professionals, lifestyle instructors, or advisors.
It is not just the availability of the goods that is the problem, but the speed at which new types of products come on the market. Advances in design and production help quicken the process. Products also need to have a short lifespan so that the public can be persuaded to replace them within a short time. The typical example is computers, which are almost out-of-date once they are bought. This indeed makes selection a problem. Gone are the days when one could just walk with ease into a shop and buy one thing; no choice, no anxiety.
1. What does the author try to argue in Paragraph 1?| A．The exercise of rights is a luxury. | B．The practice of choice is difficult. |
| C．The right of choice is given but at a price. | D．Choice and right exist at the same time. |
| A．Professionals find it hard to decide on a suitable product. |
| B．People are likely to find themselves overcome by business persuasion. |
| C．Shoppers may find themselves lost in the broad range of items. |
| D．Companies and advertisers are often misleading about the rage of choice. |
| A．advanced products meet the needs of people | B．products of the latest design flood the market |
| C．competitions are fierce in high-tech industry | D．everyday goods need to be replaced often |
| A．The variety of choices in modern society. |
| B．The opinions on people’s right in different countries |
| C．The problems about the availability of everyday goods. |
| D．The helplessness in purchasing decisions |
7 . China's Yungang Grottoes (石窟) will complete the scanning of all the caves in five years, paving the way for the creation of digital versions that can withstand weathering and other real-world damage.
So far, the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Shanxi Province has completed three-dimensional scans of one-third of its Buddhist grottoes, according to the Yungang Grottoes Research Institute. “We're racing against time,” said Ning Bo, director of the institute's digitalization office, “Weathering is like cancer to grottoes, eating away at the sculptures year by year. Few technologies can prevent such progressive damage.”
Using three-dimensional laser (激光) scanning and multiplanar (多平面) reconstruction, the institute is working to capture the shapes, colors and other fine details of the grottoes and create millimeter-level digital archives for future study and preservation. “We hope to preserve the grottoes in digital form as much as possible, so people in the future will still have access to the information even if the grottoes fade away.” Ning said, adding that the digitalization will also allow the public to “visit” the grottoes more easily on their computer screens.
The digitalization project, which began in 2003 at the grottoes, still faces challenges posed by the caves' enormous sizes, complicated structures and exquisite sculptures, according to the institute. “The Yungang Grottoes were built into a mountain, and so our team is actually scanning structures as huge as a mountain. Besides, the inner structures vary wildly from exotic domes to traditional Chinese architecture.” said the director.
The Yungang Grottoes, located in the city of Datong, has 45 major caves and more than 59,000 stone statues. With a grotto complex stretching about 1 km from east to west, it is one of the largest ancient grottoes in the country.
1. What does Ning Bo mean by saying “racing against time”？| A．Scanning the grottoes is an urgent task. |
| B．It is not an easy job to scan the grottoes. |
| C．He is dying because of a severe disease. |
| D．There is a deadline required by UNESCO. |
| A．To keep them from being damaged. |
| B．To carry out a scientific experiment. |
| C．To preserve them for future generations. |
| D．To make them accessible via the Internet. |
| A．The influence of the project. | B．The difficulties facing the team. |
| C．The beauty of the grottoes. | D．The structures of the statues. |
| A．Education. | B．Technology. | C．Culture. | D．Opinion. |
8 . Taskmaster
Can you beat the four members of the public who answer general knowledge and specialist questions in the final of this year's competition? Tonight's specialist subjects include the history of winter sports, Latin American dances, detective novels and French history. There will be information about how to enter next year's competition.
Below Stairs
A new comedy series about Ray and Jen, who work in the IT section of a big company. Their office is in the basement while their bosses work in luxury upstairs. Reviews so far have been mixed. There are plenty of laughs, though some people may find the situations rather silly.
Whiteout
It includes men's and women's downhill racing, jumping and ice dance. Figure skater Jayne Wilton comments on the dance performances.
Top Team
A return of the jokey quiz show, in which teams of famous sports personalities and comedians have to give amusing answers to questions on a range of popular sports, not just football and tennis but winter sports too. Light-hearted entertainment for everyone!
Quicksteps
Each week, well-known faces from the world of television team up with a professional partner to perform a range of classical and modern dances. Each week's winners will take part in the grand final later in the year.
Inspector Blake
A famous football player has a beautiful wife, a big house and a bright future. When he's found dead in his car near a local park, Blake discovers that he was less popular than it seemed. Set in the 1970s, this nail-biting drama will keep you guessing right until the end.
1. What is Taskmaster?| A．It's a TV series. | B．It's a talk show. |
| C．It's a dance performance. | D．It's a competition program. |
| A．Relaxing. | B．Amazing. |
| C．Thrilling. | D．Challenging. |
| A．A housewife. | B．A detective. |
| C．A football player. | D．A drama writer. |
9 . The phrase “Keeping up with the Joneses" has been an American saying for decades, likely coming from a picture book, which describes a family in a constant straggle to achieve the social status of their neighbors, the Joneses. While the picture book is long gone, the saying remains and the phenomenon still exists.
The Joneses are everywhere, living a successful and wealthy life. Their skin is beautiful, their body is perfect, and they have much money. They have the good house, pets, smart children and they seem never to struggle. For people, the Joneses take the form of a particular family and they regard the Joneses as a description of perfection.
We tell ourselves constantly if we could become someone just like our neighbors, we would be happy. However, as we compare ourselves with others, we notice the deep pain that these comparisons bring about. Well then, what do we do about the Joneses? We should remind ourselves nobody is perfect and perfection is an illusion. So we should train our brains to question or change the distorted (歪曲的) ways of thinking, and see the big picture.
While the methods above do help us see others more clearly, the methods alone won't solve the problem. Moving away from comparison means turning inward to address our insecurities and inviting more mercy. From there, we can honestly begin to notice what we want for ourselves and work to reach those goals. That, finally, is the road to a peaceful mind.
As we move away from the comparative model of judging worth and stop seeing others, success as a treat, we can even feel glad that the Joneses have meaningful careers. We can hope their marriage is happy, their bank account is full, and that their children are successful. We can hope good things happen to the Joneses.
1. What does Paragraph 2 mainly talk about?| A．How "the Joneses" live. |
| B．What your neighbors have. |
| C．Why "the Joneses" are perfect. |
| D．How your neighbors affect you. |
| A．Being grateful to life. | B．Understanding others. |
| C．Gaining peace of mind. | D．Being close to perfection. |
| A．Follow our neighbors. | B．Avoid perfect people. |
| C．Show our love to other people. | D．Treat others with a normal attitude. |
| A．How Do We Become Perfect? |
| B．Should We Keep up with the Joneses? |
| C．How Should We Get on with Neighbors? |
| D．Does the Phenomenon of Comparison Exist? |
10 . If you're feeling hungry, what’s the easiest way to satisfy your Hunger? Many of Us will reach for a takeaway menu and order some delicious-but possibly unhealthy -food. And our increasingly hectic lives add to our need to buy ready-made food because we always have no time or energy to cook on our own.
Eating options are endless, and new technology means we can feed our desire at the push of a button. Takeaway delivery apps make ordering food quick and convenient. It's estimated that in the UK alone, people eat three million takeaway meals a day, and the three biggest delivery apps together offer a choice of 100 foods from 60,000 restaurants. Amelia Brophy, head of UK Data Products at YouGov, told the BBC that its research suggests that the frequency of takeaways ordered is expected to increase in the future.
It’s no wonder we are tempted to skip the grocery shopping, bypass the kitchen, and tuck into something that someone else has prepared. But ordering a pizza, a spicy curry or a box of noodles, can come at a price both financially and to our health. Eating too much processed and unhealthy fast food has some effect on obesity and the risk of developing certain diseases. A few years ago, the BBC Good Food Nation Survey found most people eating fast food on average two days per week gradually putting on weight.
Of course, reducing salt, sugar and fat is one way to make takeaway food healthier, as well as offering smaller portion sizes. But the best advice for you is to find a recipe book and try making your own nutritious meals. And if you haven't got time, try ordering a healthier alternative from the menu.
1. What does the underlined word “hectic” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．Abnormal. | B．Busy. | C．Irregular. | D．Social. |
| A．The various food. |
| B．Their delicious taste. |
| C．Their relatively low price. |
| D．The advanced technology. |
| A．Takeaway foods may do harm to health. |
| B．Takeaway foods make people light-hearted. |
| C．Pizza and noodles are the most popular takeaway foods. |
| D．The UK has the largest number of people ordering takeaway foods. |
| A．To give readers some suggestions. |
| B．To offer readers an alternative menu. |
| C．To find the reason for ordering takeaway foods. |
| D．To choose the best way of making nutritious meals. |
