1 . For many, traveling is a way to escape the worst parts of daily life. But what if a travel destination witnessed terrible events, like war, genocide（大屠杀）or nuclear fallout? Would you still want to visit?
There’s a growing phenomenon called “dark tourism” people visit sites associated with death and human suffering.
“It’s living on the edge almost -if you go to a place where people have really died,” Karel Werdler, a senior lecturer in history at InHolland University in the Netherlands, told CNN.
When people go to traditional tourist spots, like Disneyland, or some wonders of the world, they may feel happy to enjoy something interesting or new. Dark tourism, however, not only provides that novelty（新奇）but also can make them feel lucky that their problems are so small in comparison.
According to the Guardian, “Dark tourism to some extent relies on the reverse（颠倒）of the old equation（方程式）of more familiar tourism.”
For many people, these sites offer a way to reflect on the mistakes of the past and the lessons we can learn from history.
For example, Chernobyl, in the Ukraine, is one of the most popular dark destinations. When its nuclear reactor（核反应堆）exploded in 1984, it released a radioactive（放射性的）cloud so devastating that the surrounding area will remain uninhabitable（不适宜居住的）for 20,000 years.
Despite the destruction and danger of the still present radiation, nearly 72,000 people visited the area last year, reports the BBC. One of these was Li Yimeng, who went on a tour of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. During the tour she saw the homes of the power plant’s former workers, deserted classrooms, and an abandoned playground.
“I experienced a whole range of emotions as I saw the area where they used to live, which is now a wasteland,” she told China Daily. She also emphasized the need to show respect when visiting locations like Chernobyl.
Though dark tourism is related to death and dying, “it tells us more about life and the living”, The Sun noted.
1. What is the main idea of the article?| A．Comparison among different types of travel. |
| B．Information of a new travel trend. |
| C．Reasons why readers should get involved in dark tourism. |
| D．Introduction to one of the most popular dark destinations. |
| A．It is more boring and unpleasant. |
| B．It is more popular with young people. |
| C．The destination usually has a dark past. |
| D．The scene teaches people how to face death. |
| A．Dark. | B．Mysterious. |
| C．Enormous. | D．Destructive. |
| A．Dark tourism reminds people to take action to avoid disasters. |
| B．Dark tourism can be a scary experience. |
| C．Dark tourism makes people think about life. |
| D．Dark tourism warns people to be cautious about high technology. |
2 . I never meant to be a teacher. I watched my mother over the years, and I knew it wasn’t for me.
Going back to school to learn French and then teach the language, our mother had changed the center of her world when we were pre-teens.
When we went to bed, I knew how worried she could be over her students when they were troubled and how much of their stress she took on herself.
What I didn’t realize was this life she’d chosen offered her deep rewards.
As I grew up, I fell in love with a French-speaking Swiss man who asked me to marry him and move to Switzerland. Years later, when I found myself back in my hometown with a small child and a love of my second language, a chance arose for me to join my mother’s world of education, and I accepted.
I landed in a primary school in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. From the first week, I knew I’d stick with teaching. This is the most challenging experience I’ve ever had, and absolutely the best. I teach French, and I have never felt so much excitement as when I receive smiles from children, or praise from other teachers.
Most of my students have not traveled outside the town where they live, and for some, a trip to the city museum proves the most adventurous experience in their lives. If I could somehow open the world to these children, and if I could push them a bit, to dream of living in a bigger word, they may work harder and maybe one day venture beyond their neighborhood.
I work late into each night creating lessons and activities for the following day, trying to come up with ways to attract my students and connect them to the larger world. I also plan to go back to school for further study so that I can also teach science, math, social studies, reading and writing.
1. Why did the author say no to teaching at first?| A．She didn’t like to work with children. |
| B．It would take up too much of her time and energy. |
| C．Her mother wanted her to do something else. |
| D．She wasn’t sure if she could do it well. |
| A．When she had her own child. |
| B．During the time when she lived abroad. |
| C．Immediately after she started teaching. |
| D．When she learnt about her students’ dreams. |
| A．Their lives are mostly limited to their hometown. |
| B．Most of them come from poor families. |
| C．They knew nothing about French in the beginning. |
| D．They work hard and dream big. |
| A．Work in her mother’s school. |
| B．Experiment with new teaching methods. |
| C．Teach more languages besides French. |
| D．Receive further education in teaching. |
3 . There is certainly evidence that actors experience a blending of their real self with their assumed characters. For instance, Benedict Cumberbatch said, “My mum says I'm much more impatient with her when I'm filming Sherlock.”
Mark Seton, a researcher at the University of Sydney, has even coined the term “post-dramatic stress disorder” to describe the lasting effects experienced by actors who lose themselves in a role. “Actors may often prolong habits of the characters they have embodied,” he writes.
A recent finding doesn't involve acting, and it indicates that merely spending some time thinking about another person seemed to rub off on the volunteers’ sense of self led by Meghan Meyer at Princeton University. Across several studies, these researchers asked volunteers to first rate their own personalities, memories or physical attributes, and then to perform the same task from the perspective of another person. For instance, they might score the emotionality of various personal memories, and then rate how a friend or relative would have experienced those same events.
After taking the perspective of another, the volunteers scored themselves once again: the consistent finding was that their self-knowledge was now changed—their self-scores had shifted to become more similar to those they'd given for someone else. For instance, if they had initially said the trait term “confident” was only moderately related to themselves and then rated the term as being strongly related to a friend's personality, when they came to rescore themselves, they now tended to see themselves as more confident. Remarkably, this morphing of the self with another was still apparent even if a 24-hour gap was left between taking someone else's perspective and re-rating oneself.
“By simply thinking about another person, we may adapt our self to take the shape of that person” said Meyer and her colleagues. That our sense of self should have this quality might be a little discouraging, especially for anyone who has struggled to establish a firm sense of identity. Yet there is an optimistic message here, too. The challenge of improving ourselves—or at least seeing ourselves in a more positive light—might be a little easier than we thought. By roleplaying or acting out the kind of person we would like to become, or merely by thinking about and spending time with people who embody the kind of attributes we would like to see in ourselves, we can find that our sense of self changes in desirable ways.
“As each of us chooses who to befriend, who to model, and who to ignore” write Meyer and her colleagues, “we must make these decisions aware of how they shape not only the fabric of our social networks, but even our sense of who we are.”
1. The first two paragraphs mainly ______.| A．state that acting requires skills |
| B．explain the stress that an actor faces |
| C．show that a role leaves a mark on the actor |
| D．stress the importance of devoting oneself to a role |
| A．Influence. | B．Strengthen. |
| C．Confuse. | D．Determine. |
| A．brings changes to one's self-knowledge |
| B．motivates one to better understand himself |
| C．helps people deal with their identity problems |
| D．produces temporary effects on one's character |
| A．It offers instructions on making friends. |
| B．It proposes a means to improve ourselves. |
| C．It gives advice on adjusting one's emotions. |
| D．It presents a way to deal with stress disorder. |
4 . 2019 World Conference on VR Industry was held in Nanchang, China, with the goal of further satisfying people's growing demand for a better life, accelerating the modernization of China's economic system and its transformation into an innovation -oriented country, and promoting breakthroughs in the economic and social development of Jiangxi Province. The theme of the conference is "VR Adorns （装扮）the World - VR + 5 G for a New Era of Perception （观念）” .The virtual reality industry in Nanchang, capital city of East China's Jiangxi province, is expecting a boom when China grows in a new era of 5G this year, experts and industry insiders said at the conference.
The Conference attracted experts, scholars and company leaders from more than 30 countries, including the US, Germany, Britain, Russia, India and Israel, discussing the development and application of VR, especially as 5G, the next generation technology for network on devices like cellphones, unlocks the potential of VR. With a focus on the new era of perception enabled by 5G, this yearns conference showed leading-edge VR technologies and the latest outcomes of the global VR industry.
Miao Wei, head of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said in the opening address that with China officially getting 5 G commercial licenses on June 6th 2019, the co — development of VR and 5G promises a huge market in future. " China takes the lead in VR innovations. And the wide popularity of high-tech in our country guarantees the potential of this market, said Miao.
China is building its VR industry into one with the most dynamic environments for innovation and entrepreneurship, highest market acceptance, and the greatest growth potential in the world.
1. What is one of the aims of 2019 World Conference on VR Industry?| A．To promote 5G technology. |
| B．To make Chinese people more creative. |
| C．To improve the economic development of Jiangxi. |
| D．To change the world into a modern one. |
| A．It is widely used in Nanchang. | B．It can be used in business now. |
| C．It makes China a leading country. | D．It is the technology for computer system. |
| A．5G can greatly help the development of VR. | B．VR's application would unlock 5G. |
| C．5G makes VR a business. | D．VR is made up of 5G. |
| A．Technology Revolution in Jiangxi | B．New Era Marked by 5G and VR |
| C．VR, Technology for the Future | D．VR Conference in Nanchang |
5 . No visit to London is complete without checking out its fantastic selection of museums and galleries. Here are some of the best (in no particular order). Take your pick, then use the London attractions map to work out how to get there and which one to visit next.
1. British MuseumBritish Museum has been displaying global historic artifacts discovered by British explorers. Opened in 1759, it was the first national museum to be open to the public in the world. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon Sculptures and Egyptian mummies.
Address: Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG
Price: Free (permanent collections); admission charge applies for temporary exhibitions.
2. Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)As you walk through the museum's mix of Victorian and contemporary architecture, you’re as likely to see an exhibition with vast collections including everything from potteries and fashion to wallpapers and jewellery, spanning 5 ,000 years.
Address: Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL
Price: Some exhibitions and events carry a separate charge. Admission is free.
3. Natural History MuseumExplore our planet’s living wonders at the Natural History Museum. Inside the striking building, favorites include the Dinosaurs gallery, the blue whale model and the state-of-the-art Darwin Centre, where you can see hundreds of bones of animals as well as scientists at work. Address: Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD
Price: £ 14 for adults; £ 11 for people( 13-17 or ages 62 + ) or students with ID; £ 6 for children (3-12).
4. Imperial War Museum LondonA powerful museum shining a light on the history of conflict from the First World War to today. IWM is made up of permanent galleries, such as the ace Curiosities of War exhibit, and temporary displays, exploring recent conflicts and terrorist attacks.
Address: Lambeth Road, SEI 6HZ
Price: Free
1. Which museum requires an entrance fee?| A．British Museum. | B．Victoria and Albert Museum. |
| C．Natural History Museum. | D．Imperial War Museum London. |
| A．It has many historic collections. |
| B．It's the world's first national museum opened. |
| C．It requires admission for temporary exhibitions. |
| D．It is the most famous museum in London. |
| A．Living dinosaurs. | B．Fantastic buildings. |
| C．The scientist Darwin. | D．A model of a blue whale. |
6 . On a Saturday afternoon, Tasi Lama had just finished lunch and was going to wash his hands when the ground under his feet started shaking violently. Objects began to fall down from overhead and rising above the crashes, he could hear terrified screams all around him. Several months later, the painter from Nepal's Kathmandu Valley remembers that day more vividly than his wedding day or the birth of his son.
It was on April 25, 2015 that an earthquake hit Nepal, the former Himalayan kingdom out of sight between its giant neighbors China and India, 81 years after a similar disaster. This killer quake and aftershocks that continued for more than a month afterward killed over 8,000 people, destroyed thousands of houses, and ruined an economy already damaged by many other reasons.
It was also of consequence for the ancient art style Nepali painters such as Lama have been practicing for generations. “We left our homes and lived in the open fields outside the city, under tarpaulins（防水油布）for a month," Lama said. Many of the houses, built of mud and bricks, were in ruins and the aftershocks continued, though less frequently. One day, I went to my showroom to get some of the paintings out and the Earth started shaking again. I dropped everything and ran out for my life. ”
Dinesh Lama, a 32-year-old artist from Nepal's capital city, Kathmandu, said his Boudha Stupa Thangka Center, which functions as his showroom as well as his studio, has remained shut since the earthquake, as his artisans(工匠）are too traumatized （心理受到创伤的）to take up the brush again. “We lived in temporary tents for more than a month," he said. “When they try to sit inside the studio and paint, fear makes their hands shake. Luckily, we have got a lot of aid from China. I believe we will come back to our home soon. ”
1. What can we conclude from the second paragraph?| A．The April 25 earthquake made Nepal disappear for long. |
| B．This quake caused more deaths than the one 81 years ago. |
| C．Nepal also suffered a serious disaster due to the 1934 quake. |
| D．The earthquake is the only reason for Nepal being backward. |
| A．Many Nepali painters lost their lives in the quake. |
| B．Only the houses built of mud and bricks broke down. |
| C．His showroom fell into ruins after the quake. |
| D．He had no choice but to stop working for long. |
| A．That his showroom had been totally destroyed. |
| B．That his artisans were incapable of working. |
| C．That he couldn't sell his works as usual. |
| D．That he would never pick up his brush to draw. |
| A．Earthquake Brings Damage to Ancient Art |
| B．Earthquake Causes Many Artists Out of Job |
| C．China Gives a Timely Hand to Nepal |
| D．Nepal Suffers from Two Nonstop Quakes |
Rent: $3,895/Month
Detail:
Located at the end of a private lane on a quiet beach, this elegant three-story home has beautiful views from all three floors. Features formal and casual spaces, a beautiful wood paneled room, a media room equipped with projector, screen and surround sound. Kitchen has a huge breakfast bar, high end stainless steel appliances, and separate eating area. Master bedroom offers a view balcony, his and her walk-in closets. Air conditioners, 3 gas fireplaces and alarm systems. This is a MUST see!
6235 139th Place SE Bellevue, Washington
Rent: $3,495/Month
Detail:
Located in a great school district. (Tyee Middle) Quiet area in excellent condition Available August 1st, this property includes a fenced backyard with landscape maintenance included with rent.
4021 214th St SE Bothell, Washington
Rent: $3,300/Month
Detail:
This home is set back on a quiet corner in a family friendly neighborhood just minutes' walking distance from parks and about 5 minutes from the 405 freeway. Enjoy the hot tub and outdoor living space which includes a nice private back yard which features views of large greenery. The master bedroom is very large and features a private sitting area with its own gas fireplace and walk-in closets. The kitchen has all stainless steel appliances. The home features an attached 3-car garage. The bonus room makes for an excellent entertainment center, play room, or large home office. The house has high ceilings and many windows, so it is always bright.
526 6th Ave,#1004 Kirkland, Washington
Rent: $2,800/Month
Detail:
Exceptional first-floor apartment in Kirkland's 520 Building. Gorgeous 2-bed-room, Features 10 ft ceilings and crown molding, open and spacious with gorgeous upscale tile(瓷砖) floors, wood blinds in master bedroom, new carpet, new wood finishes, fireplace, beautiful built-in entertainment center. Secure entry and parking. Steps to restaurants, parks and waterfront.
1. Which feature do 26902 9th Avenue S. Des Moines and 4021 214th St SE Bothell share?| A．They both have a private back yard with car garages attached. |
| B．They both have a large master bedroom offering a balcony view. |
| C．They both have a nice kitchen and a room suitable for entertainment. |
| D．They are both located in a quiet place, just minutes' walking distance from parks. |
| A．26902 9th Avenue S. Des Moines. |
| B．6235 139th Place SE Bellevue. |
| C．4021 214th St SE Bothell. |
| D．526 6th Ave, #1004 Kirkland. |
| A．It is very close to restaurants, parks, and the 405 freeway. |
| B．It lies the first floor and has gorgeous wood floors and high ceilings. |
| C．It offers brand-new furniture, air conditioning, and free parking. |
| D．It comes with 2 bedrooms and a wonderful built-in entertainment center. |
8 . The past few years found me working long hours at my marketing job while my husband, Steven,put in equally fall days as a physics tutor.The weekends were spent photographing weddings and portraits.While we were able to save some money,we were both burned out from the constant tiring work.
We felt the need for both renewal and vacation experiences.So,in January,we set out on a seven-month,cross-country road trip to visit all 61 National Parks in the United States.
Steven was ready to dive headlong into the unknown,while I,someone who enjoys more planned fun,had to adapt.I was amazed at how easily I turned to be a more relaxed version who wasn't worried where to park or sleep.We both became so accustomed to sleeping in the van,despite the foreign sound outside,which we eventually let fade into white noise.
Over the course of our seven-month trip,several interruptions changed our route, including the government shutdown,which left the first 10 parks inaccessible. Another time,I fell ill and lost my voice right as we were heading to the Virgin Islands National Park.
Positively,while we've done photography professionally for years.this trip really helped us grow in our craft.From rapidly trying to shoot dolphins to lining up panoramic(全景的））shots,this trip was a photographer's dream.I never dared out into complete darkness to photograph nights capes,but the views of the Milky Way we managed to shoot were well worth it.
One of our big goals on this trip was to come away from each park with one spectacular image,something that pushed us both to become better artists in the process.That shared goal placed us on the same team:It brought us together,gave us more to talk about,and encouraged us to motivate each other along the way.
1. Why did the couple take such a trip?| A．They were both out of work. |
| B．They needed some photos of parks. |
| C．They wanted a getaway from exhausting work. |
| D．They wanted to make money by photographing. |
| A．The trip was full of unexpected difficulties. |
| B．The trip was nothing like her planned fun. |
| C．She enjoyed his husband's way of travel. |
| D．She had several fights with her husband. |
| A．Bad sleep in the van. |
| B．The author's illness. |
| C．The change of route. |
| D．The government shutdown. |
| A．They've caught some dolphins. |
| B．They've became famous artists. |
| C．They've bettered their relationship. |
| D．They've got their professional photographer certificates. |
9 . If you are reading this, you were probably born in the 2000s. The oh-ohs. The 21st century. That would make you young, creative, connected, global, and no doubt smart. Maybe good-looking, too. Right? But what do other people think about your generation?
Some adults worry that you’re more interested in the screen in front of you than the world around you. They think of you as the “face-down generation” because you use your phone so much and they wonder how you will deal with school, friends, and family. Are today’s teenagers too busy texting and taking selfies to become successful in real life—or “IRL”, as you would say?
Other adults worry that today’s youth are spoilt and don’t want to face the challenges of adult life. Many children born in the 1990s and 2000s were raised by “helicopter parents", who were always there to guide and help their children with a busy schedule filled with homework and after-class activities such as dancing, drawing, or sports. With parents who do everything for them, today’s youth seem to prefer to live like teenagers even when they are in their 20s or 30s.
With these taken into account, does the face down generation need a warning? Well, probably not. The fact is that many of today’s teenagers are better educated and more creative than past generations. They seem to be enthusiastic and willing to be become leaders. More young people than ever volunteer to help their communities. There are also brave young people such as Malala Yousafzai, the teenager who won the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize for pushing girls’ rights to go to school.
So if you’re one of the oh-ohs, there are reasons to be hopeful about the future. Things are looking up for the face-down generation. Chances are that you will do GR8 (great) and LOL (laugh out loud).
1. Which of the following words can not be used to describe the oh-ohs?| A．Creative. | B．Caring. |
| C．Ignorant. | D．Intelligent. |
| A．parents who are rich and travel by helicopter. |
| B．parents who always watch over their children. |
| C．parents who have a very busy schedule. |
| D．parents who only turn up when necessary. |
| A．The writer is a member of the face-down generation. |
| B．The writer is optimistic about the future of the oh-ohs. |
| C．The oh-ohs are more good-looking than their parents. |
| D．The oh-ohs care about nothing other than their phones. |
| A．The “helicopter parents” | B．The over-worried parents |
| C．The spoiled generation | D．The face-down generation |
10 . Famous Dance Forms From Around The World
Singing and dancing is an essential part of many cultures around the world and has been so for centuries. Worldwide, various dance forms have evolved over the years and some have crossed their regional boundaries and gained admirers globally. Here we present some of the most famous dance styles in the world.
Ballet, Russia
No dance form can approach gracefulness as closely as the Russian ballet. It is an artistic dance form that is performed to music. The steps of Russian ballet demand high levels of precision and formality. The classical ballet dance form which originated in Renaissance Italy was introduced to Russia during the rule of Peter the Great and since then became an integral part of Russian society.
Flamenco, Spain
Flamenco is a globally famous dance form that originated in Spain. The dance is accompanied by guitar playing, singing, finger snapping, and handclapping. Flamenco is closely linked to the Romani people in Spain, and its style is distinctly Andalusian. The art form is currently taught in many countries worldwide but is most popular in the US and Japan. In the latter country, Flamenco schools outnumber those in Spain.
Tango, Argentina
Tango is a partner dance that is associated with style and expressiveness. In the 1880's, the dance form originated along the River Plate which is the natural border between Uruguay and Argentina. Many different styles of tango exist today and international tango dancing competitions are held each year signifying the popularity of this dance.
Samba, Brazil
Samba is synonymous（同义的）with the famous Carnival of Brazil. It is a Brazilian dance style and music genre with roots in Africa and arrived in Latin America via the African slaves who arrived in Latin America with their European masters. Samba is associated with rhythm and brightly colored costumes and is considered as an integral part of the Brazilian culture.
1. Which dance form is believed to be the most graceful?| A．Tango. | B．Ballet. |
| C．Samba. | D．Flamenco |
| A．High levels of precision and formality. |
| B．Being accompanied by finger snapping and hand clapping. |
| C．Rhythm and brightly colored costumes. |
| D．Style and expressiveness. |
| A．Ballet originated in Russia during the rule of Peter the Great. |
| B．Spain has more Flamenco schools than Japan. |
| C．Samba was brought to Brazil by European masters |
| D．All the four forms of dance mentioned did not originate in their own countries |
