1 . Nicci Wright, a specialist in animal recovery and Karin Lourens, a doctor trained to care for animals set up a hospital outside the city of Johannesburg South Africa two years ago. However, the patients they treat are not human beings but wildlife. So far, they have treated about 4,000 creatures.
This veterinary hospital mainly treats small mammals and large hunting birds that are injured. The hospital now has about 160 patients, among which are six leopard tortoises, a toothless 12-foot python and an otter that was taken far from its natural surroundings when someone tried to keep it as a pet.
Many animals coming to the hospital have not only physical injuries. They show signs of stress from being hurt by people. Some creatures, like the endangered pangolin become fearful when they hear a male human voice or smell cigarette smoke. The pangolin ,which feed mainly on ants, have become endangered because of great demand for their scales (鳞片) in Asia.
Both Johannesburg and Pretoria, the South Africa capital, are expanding. The growth of the two cities is squeezing out animals that are native to the area, which also accounts for the increase of the injury of the animals
Along with five full-time employees, the hospital gets help from volunteers like Lauren Beckley, who lives nearby. Beckley cares for young monkeys, who hug her. Their own mothers have been shot or killed in auto accidents.
When the animals are ready to return to the wild, Wright and her team work with nature centers around the country to take the animals to a new, safer home.
1. Why did Nicci Wright set up a hospital outside the city of Johannesburg?| A．To help the injured creature. |
| B．To provide medicine to the people. |
| C．To do a research about wildlife. |
| D．To enjoy a rural way of life. |
| A．Many animals suffered only physical injuries. |
| B．Some animals are more afraid to see a woman. |
| C．Cigarette smoke would scared an animal away. |
| D．The animals remember the people hunting them. |
| A．The expanding of city benefits the animals around. |
| B．Beckley has a good relationship with the monkeys. |
| C．There are five people working in the hospital. |
| D．The python used to be kept as a pet. |
| A．Wildlife research in Johannesburg. |
| B．An veterinary hospital in South Africa. |
| C．The conflict between human and wildlife. |
| D．The reintroduction of animals to the wild. |
2 . Clara Daly was seated with her mother on an Alaska Airlines flight from Boston to Los Angeles when a flight attendant asked an urgent question over the loudspeaker: “Does anyone on board know American Sign Language?”
Clara, 15 at the time, pressed the call button. The flight attendant came by and explained the situation. “We have a passenger on the plane who’s blind and deaf,” she said. The passenger seemed to want something, but he was traveling alone and the flight attendants couldn’t understand what he needed.
Clara ,who was dyslexic, had started learning sign language over the past year to help her communicate without reading or writing She walked toward the front of the plane, and knelt by the aisle seat of Tim Cook, then 64. Gently taking his hand, she signed, “How are you? Are you OK?” Cook asked for some water.
When it arrived, Clara returned to her seat. She came by again a bit later because he wanted to know the time. On her third visit, she stopped and stayed for the rest of the flight..
“He didn’t need anything. He was lonely and wanted to talk,” Clara says.
So for the next hour, she talked about her family and her plans for the future. Cook told Clara how he had gradually become blind over time and shared stories of his days as a traveling salesman. Even though he couldn’t see her, she looked attentively at his face with such kindness.
Clara's generosity didn't go unnoticed. The passengers around him were all taken by Clara. A passenger named Lynette Scribner took a photo of one of the moments Clara was communicating with Cook and shared it on Facebook. The post has received more than 1100,000 likes, 500,000 shares .
1. What do we know about Clara Daly?| A．She had learned ASL for many years |
| B．She was good at reading and writing |
| C．She had shot to internet fame . |
| D．She was feeling lonely on board. |
| A．Some company | B．a watch . | C．a photo | D．Some water |
| A．She was generous and impatient. | B．She was optimistic and serious |
| C．She was traditional and helpless | D．She was considerate and selfless |
| A．No passengers noticed Clara’s kindness except Lynette Scribner. |
| B．The passengers around were all taken good care of by Clara. |
| C．Clara’s act of kindness was spread through internet. |
| D．Lynette Scribner took a photo of Clara and her mother. |
3 . From dancing in the woods to watching sword swallowing, these UK festivals will entertain adults and children alike.
Eden, Dumfries and Galloway
Once a part of the Wickerman festival (which ended in 2016), this event now has 18 areas (including stages, discos and kids tents) in Raehills Meadows, near Moffat. There are lots of free creative activities, workshops, crafts and games for children, plus healing fields, and a drive-in cinema for a comfortable family night.
• 6-9 June, adult £131, 13-17s £96, 5-12s £22, under 5s free (ticket required)
Tropical Pressure, Cornwall
This festival takes place in the grassy grounds of Mount Pleasant Eco Park, overlooking the north Cornish coast. By day, live music comes from around the globe, with African and Latin American beats, plus a children’s programme of creative workshops. As an all-ages event, there’s fun after dark too, with tropical costumes and cocktails at Fandangos, a secret dance tent and a silent disco.
• 12-14 July, adult £102, 5-15s £46, under 5s free (ticket required)
The Great Estate, Cornwall
In the grounds of a country house in the village of Scorrier, there’s a garden celebration. Traditional fairground rides, skate ramps, craft workshops, face-painting and hula-hooping are billed alongside more unusual entertainment such as Mexican wrestling, a Victorian sports day, sword swallowing at Madame Wong’s House of Wrong James.
• 31 May-2 June, adult £90, 10-17s £28, under 10s £12
Larmer Tree, West Country
This summer marks 29 years since the Larmer Tree festival first took place in the Victorian pleasure gardens of Cranborne Chase. On the bill of this noted music, comedy and arts festival, so far, are The Cat Empire, Kate Tempest, Gomez and comedians Josie Long and Nish Kumar. Theatre, talks, hula disco, carnival crafts, and other creative and wellness activities run alongside the acts
• 18-21 July, adult £192, 11-17s £121, under 11s free (ticket required)
1. What do these festivals have in common?| A．They focus on music and art | B．they will last for 4 days and nights. |
| C．They are of the same price. | D．they are family-friendly festivals |
| A．£l02.00. | B．£114.0 | C．£180.00. | D．£204.0 |
| A．Eden, Dumfries and Galloway. | B．The Great Estate. |
| C．Larmer Tree. | D．Tropical Pressure, Cornwall. |
4 . Having worked for more than a decade in finance in the oil industry in Canada, Tori Fahey found herself wanting more from life. But it wasn't through desperation that her circumstances changed: “I didn't get fed up and storm off, nothing like that; it was curiosity about other interests and wanting to experience something new.”
Fahey left her job and completed an MBA before setting up a move to New York to begin a degree. However, the opportunity of an open year between the MBA and the degree came up, and as a keen touring cyclist, Fahey realised that a much dreamed-about adventure was now becoming a possibility: "The ride in Africa had been on my fantasy list. It was a moment when I realised that I could do anything, so I should."
Fahey rode across Africa, a 7,500-mile trip that took four months. The whole experience had a life-changing impact. Fahey said: “Bicycles provide a literal freedom. You don't allow yourself to feel like that in everyday life because there are so many distractions. But when you' re out on the bike and there's nothing else, you' re really free to experience what life is.”
Post-degree, Fahey worked on projects with the UNDP(United Nations Development Project) in Montenegro with the aim of bringing investment to rural communities.
It was while working on these projects that the seeds were sown for the next new investment. “It was through my trip across Africa that I discovered pannier and rack systems inconvenient and I was never going to use them again.” Little did she know this would lead her to start up her own company.
In 2013, Apidura was born, producing storage solutions for people looking to travel the world by bike, race across continents and carry all they need to do so. It's now a successful global brand, but Fahey remains reflective about what else the company can do for people.
1. Why did Fahey leave her job in Canada?| A．She was bored with the job. | B．She was disappointed with life. |
| C．She wanted to add new dimensions to her life. | D．She found it hard to adjust to the circumstances. |
| A．Demanding. | B．Liberating. | C．Eventful. | D．Dangerous. |
| A．To encourage bicycle traveling. | B．To make her investment profitable. |
| C．To help cyclists carry traveling stuff. | D．To increase the pleasure of riding bikes. |
| A．A tough path to fame. | B．An adventure across Africa. |
| C．The benefits of green travelling. | D．The story behind the birth of Apidura. |
5 . While Charlotte Uhlenbroek loves the adventure, she is also glad to be back in civilization, at least for the moment.
She's just finished filming a TV series called jungle-a 19-week job that involved her exploring the dense jungles of the Congo, the Amazon and Borneo. She says that it was fascinating, but daunting as well. So what was her most challenging experience? “Definitely climbing an 80-metre-high tree in Borneo, when I'm scared of heights! I had to keep going up and up, when a voice inside me was saying, ‘Down! Down!’ I kept thinking the ropes were going to break and send me down below.”
And “down below” was where the bugs were — clinging, stinging, sucking beasts. Apart from the usual mosquitoes, in the Amazon rainforest she was troubled by sand-fly bites. “I've had some horrible bites but these really are the itchiest bites I've ever had. At one stage, I counted 70 bites on one arm,” she says. “Just as annoying were the sweat bees in the Congo. They try to drink the sweat on your face and even the tears from your eyes. The most disgusting thing, though, was try to pull the leeches off your skin. The more I pulled, the more they stretched and the tighter their jaws clung to my leg. I kept shouting, ‘Get them off!’ and the film crew kept saying, ‘Just one minute...this makes a really good shot!’”
Back in London, what has she been enjoying since her return to “civilization”? “I've been having lots of nice, long showers,” she says. “In the Congo, the possibility of using up our water supplies was always a worrying thought. And I find that when I've been in hot, uncomfortable conditions for a while, the things I look forward to more than anything else are being with my family and enjoying my favourite meal.”
1. Why does Charlotte explore the jungles?| A．She enjoys taking adventures. |
| B．She takes part in shooting a TV series. |
| C．She wants to challenge herself. |
| D．She is interested in the jungle bugs. |
| A．Inspiring | B．Frightening |
| C．Exhausting | D．Rewarding |
| A．She climbed tall trees with the help of ropes. |
| B．The film crew helped her to get the leeches from her leg. |
| C．The mosquito bites she had were the worst bites she'd ever had. |
| D．when she gets home, she loves doing the cooking for her family. |
| A．Bitten By The Jungle Bug |
| B．Exploring The Amazon Jungle |
| C．Return To “Civilization” |
| D．What A Jungle Journey! |
6 . We all know a picky eater (挑食者) or two, or maybe you're the picky eater, avoiding food adventures at all costs, because you're convinced you'll hate whatever new and bad-looking food is put on your plate. But why is it that some people are picky eaters while others are willing to try pretty much anything that can be eaten?
There's no single explanation for the picky eating habit. Picky eaters are typically unwilling to try new foods, which can be the result of your DNA and the way you are treated and educated when you are young. Marcia Pelchat, Ph.D., a researcher at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia who specializes in food preferences in humans, tells China Daily, “A group in Finland looked at what we call food neophobia, which literally means 'fear of the new', and they found that there is some genetic basis for this.”
“Also, if you have parents who don't really like to try anything new, you will also be exposed to fewer new foods,” Pelchat says. The opposite is also true: Those who try new foods and have positive experiences are then more likely to try unfamiliar foods in the future.
People who are less adventurous may be more hesitant to try new foods. Trying anything new, food included, requires you to step outside of your comfort zone. If you're not very adventurous, you may have a tough time with this. People who seek new adventures or thrills might be more likely to experiment with food. “There is a thrill-seeking personality trait,” Pelchat says. “It's been shown, especially with spicy food, that there is some connection between trying new foods and thrill seeking,” she explains.
Most adult picky eaters start as child picky eaters. “It's normal for children to go through a picky stage when they're toddlers, maybe two or three years old, and that makes sense evolutionarily,” Pelchat says. But as we get older, if we continue to avoid new foods, pickiness can persist.
1. What do we know about people with food neophobia?| A．They eat only a few kinds of food. |
| B．They avoid new or unfamiliar foods. |
| C．They are addicted to some kind of food. |
| D．They have preference for vegetable food. |
| A．Food neophobia can be influenced by surroundings. |
| B．Those who try new foods have a positive life attitude. |
| C．Parents should set a good example for their children. |
| D．Food neophobia is linked to poorer dietary quality. |
| A．Less optimistic. | B．Less creative. |
| C．Less independent. | D．Less adventurous. |
A． | B． |
C． | D． |
7 . If you really love Elvis, you won't want to miss our special Hound Dog Tour in August. It's a fun musical tour exploring the places that Elvis lived, worked, and played, and has become an Elvis Week tradition.
But no matter what time of year, no visit to Memphis is complete without a tour of Elvis' beloved home, Graceland. Since the recent remodeling and expansion of the Visitor's Center, there's more to do and see than ever before!
See exciting Elvis sites such as ：
Sun Studio
The Presley's Lauderdale Courts apartment
Elvis' high school
The Overton Park Shell, the theater where he performed his first big show in 1954
The original Lansky Bros, clothing store
The former Memphian Theater
Elvis Week Schedule ：
Sunday Aug. 11 1 ：00 pm
Wednesday Aug. 14 1 ：00 pm
Friday Aug. 16 1 ：00 pm
The following is included with the price of each ticket ：
Round-trip transportation to Graceland from downtown Memphis Graceland mansion audio tour and orientation film Full access to the Visitor Entertainment Complex
Elvis Presley Automobile Museum
Join us today for this unforgettable adventure into the world of Elvis! Please be aware that, due to exhibit construction and restoration, Graceland may close an exhibit or attraction, remove or exchange handicraft works on display, or change operating hours without prior notice and without refund or compensation (补偿).
1. What can be learned about Hound Dog Tour?| A．It is now part of Elvis Week. | B．It usually lasts about a month. |
| C．It covers adventures in Graceland. | D．It attracts more attention than before. |
| A．Attend live theatre shows. | B．Visit Elvis5 former primary school. |
| C．Enjoy morning performances. | D．Enter the Entertainment Complex. |
| A．They must be aware of prior notices. |
| B．They should follow the original timetable. |
| C．They can have compensation for any loss. |
| D．They may miss originally owned contents. |
8 . Every woman dreams of receiving a huge, sparkling and priceless diamond. Now scientists have discovered the largest diamond in the universe.
But it’s well beyond the reach of the most lovestruck men — 50 light years to be precise. Space scientists revealed that they had discovered a ten billion trillion trillion carat gem. Measuring 2,500 miles across and weighing five million trillion trillion pounds, the rock was found on Valentine's Day buried in the core of a white dwarf star in the constellation Centaurus.
“It’s the mother of all diamonds,” said Travis Metcalfe, who led the team of researchers at the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics in America.
“You would need a jeweller’s loupe the size of the Sun to grade this diamond.” Named Lucy, after the Beatles' song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, the rock has sent a ripple of excitement through the scientific world.
The largest diamond found on earth was the 3,106-carat Cullinan. It was cut into nine major stones, including the 530-carat Star of Africa, now a part of the Crown Jewels. Diamonds were first discovered in India more than 2,800 years ago. The Ancient Romans believed that the stones were splinters of stars that had tumbled to earth.
In Ancient Egypt, diamonds were symbols of eternity and were used in funeral rites. In the Middle Ages, men wore them to symbolize their courage and virility. The tradition of giving them as love tokens dates from 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy.
1. The largest diamond in the universe________.| A．was found 50 years ago. | B．was in the centre of a white dwarf star. |
| C．was too large to measure. | D．could be graded by a common jeweller's loupe. |
| A．Diamonds have symbolized love since 1477. |
| B．The largest diamond on earth was found 2,800 years ago. |
| C．The Crown Jewels was totally made of the 530-carat Star of Africa. |
| D．At present, men wear diamonds to symbolize their courage and virility. |
| A．Diamond — a must on important occasions | B．Love — the symbolism of diamonds |
| C．Discovery — the largest diamond in the world | D．Diamond — the dream of women |
| A．a tour guide. | B．a poster. | C．an official document. | D．a magazine. |
9 . In this most unusual year, the gift of giving will feel especially good. These tips can help make the season merry and bright for everyone.
What’s Different This Year
Hot Ticket Items May Be Extra Hot: Some companies have scaled back their holiday ordering this year to trim inventory, so popular products might sell out fast — in stores and online. So if you see a good price for an item on your list, be sure to grab it. And plan to ship gifts at least two weeks before Christmas Eve.
Online Sales Will Start Early
This year, it maybe more like Cyber Season, with online promotions and sales starting right after Halloween. With concerns about crowds, retailers will likely save a lot of their inventory for online sales. To avoid parking lot chaos, try to pick up your purchases first thing in the morning or later in the evening, when wait times should be shorter.
Outlets Are Online Too
If one of your holiday shopping traditions is a trip to the outlets, you can still experience the thrill of the bargain hunt—from home. Shoppremiumoutlets.com is the virtual version of the country’s largest outlet company. In someways, it’s even better than an in-person trip because you can shop by item or category and immediately see what different retailers have in stock, rather than going store to store .
When to Shop
Not on Thanksgiving: Many stores that opened their doors on the holiday last year have announced that they will be closed this year. One upside for shoppers is rock-bottom prices as some stores liquidate (清仓). The downsides: They might not be around if you need to return something or use a gift card. In other words: Bankruptcy buyers beware.
1. Which is the best time to send gifts?| A．October 30. | B．December 9. | C．December 15. | D．December 24. |
| A．Shoppers can only buy items online. |
| B．Shopping on Thanksgiving is the best choice. |
| C．Popular products might sell out fast only in stores. |
| D．Shoppers may see a good price for an item right after Halloween. |
| A．People who are money-less. | B．People who like shopping at home. |
| C．People who are retailers. | D．People who are fond of bargains. |
10 . Ever wonder how your brain works when making decisions bigger than medium versus spicy salsa, like buying a car or accepting a job offer? Researchers from the University of Dundee in Scotland conducted a study that clarifies why you may want to have a small bite before making that big decision.
Benjamin Vincent from the University of Dundee’s Psychology department and his co-author Jordan Skyrnka tested 50 people two times: once when they followed their normal eating patterns and once when they did not eat anything during the day. Using three different types of rewards (food, money, and song downloads), the team discovered when presented with the choice of receiving the reward now versus double the award at some point in the future, participants would usually volunteer to wait for 35 days to earn a larger bounty, but when they were hungry, they said they would only wait three days.
“We wanted to know whether being in a state of hunger had a specific effect on how you make decisions only relating to food or if it had broader effects, and this research suggests decision-making gets more present-focused when people are hungry,” Vincent said in a story about the study on the university’s website. “You would predict that hunger would impact people’s preferences relating to food, but it is not yet clear why people get more present-focused for completely unrelated rewards. Hunger is so common that it is important to understand the non-obvious ways in which our preferences and decisions may be affected by it,” he said.
In an earlier study of the subject by a team at Cambridge University in England, the researchers noted that serotonin plays a major role in the decision-making process. “Since the raw material for making serotonin—an amino acid called tryptophan — only comes from diet, levels of the chemical decline between meals,” reports a piece in the Telegraph about the study. “This can lead to aggressiveness and impulsiveness,” say the team.
1. How did Benjamin Vincent and Jordan Skyrnka carry out their research?| A．By analyzing reasons. | B．By making comparison. |
| C．By giving examples. | D．By filling questionnaires. |
| A．bonus. | B．quantity. | C．income. | D．fortune. |
| A．It’s common to make a wrong decision if you are hungry. |
| B．Make sure you are not hungry before making a big decision. |
| C．The more hungry you are, the quicker you will make a decision. |
| D．Being hungry drives you to make a decision connected with food. |
| A．What should be eaten to make a wise man. |
| B．How can we get enough serotonin from our diet. |
| C．What other factors will influence one’s decision-making. |
| D．How does a chemical function in the course of making a decision. |
