3 . In the past few decades, great progress has been made in the field of space exploration, which has enabled mankind to have a deeper understanding of the Solar System, our place in it and in the universe. “We sent probes(探测器) to every planet in the Solar System. This is by far the best one,” said Clayton, vice president of Blue Origin. “Let's focus right now on protecting the Earth environment, and then we'll go from there. Space science and technology should be people-centric and application-centric, and focus on improving human life. We need to have a strong footing on the Earth, learn to solve the day-to-day problems of the society.”

“Space technology can help achieve the 17 sustainable development goals to be achieved by 2030 set by the United Nations. Satellite monitoring can really help with agriculture. ” said Victoria, CEO of a company working on sustainable development, “Through Global Navigation Satellite System, animals' movement information recorded on self-recharging devices can be transmitted to the company server. Farmers can be alerted in real time if anomalies(异常现象）are detected. We can use it to ensure the traceability of the entire meat chain. As a result, it enables consumers to know that the beef they are eating does not come from protected areas or the cattle don't contribute to deforestation. ”

As early as 2007, Michael Griffin, former Administrator of NASA, put forward the concept of the “space economy” in a speech. He is very optimistic about the market prospect of commercial space and said, “According to the latest data, the global space industry could reach $1 trillion in 2040, up from $ 378 billion currently. I believe more business models and space activities will be created in the future to achieve the economic scale of $1 trillion. ”

As an entrepreneur(创业者）herself, Victoria thinks the thriving space market will bring countless opportunities for entrepreneurs. She mentioned future settlements on Mars or on the Moon. “If we are going to develop a new society outside the Earth, we will need all types of applications and all types of startups. But coming back to the Earth, there are so many problems that need to be solved, and space technology can really help with that.”

1. What does the underlined word “This” in Paragraph 1 refer to ?

A．A successful space exploration.

B．A probe sent to other planets.

C．The planet people are living on now.

D．The solar system people are exploring.

2. In Clayton's opinion, what should be the first concern about space technology?

A．Providing more financial support.

B．Improving people's life on earth.

C．Sending more probes in the universe.

D．The development of related technology.

3. How does Victoria support her statement about satellite monitoring in Paragraph 2?

A．By making reasoning.

B．By providing accurate figures.

C．By making comparison.

D．By illustrating from different aspects.

4. What does the text mainly talk about?

A．Necessities of space exploration.

B．Breakthroughs in space exploration.

C．Possible application of space technology.

D．Controversial issues about space technology.

4 . A new research added brain degradation such as Alzheimer(阿尔茨海默症）to the growing list of effects of fine particles(微粒）. A study of 63 million adults older than 65 in the United States showed that from 2000 to 2016, first-time hospital admissions for Alzheimer's disease, and related diseases rose by 13 percent with every 5-microgram (per cubic meter of air) increase in annual concentrations of PM 2.5. Such particles are produced mainly during the burning of fossil fuels, especially coal and oil. The risk remained high even at concentrations below 12 micrograms per cubic meter, a level the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency currently considers safe.

“Our study builds on the small but clear evidence indicating that long-term PM 2.5 exposures are associated with an increased risk of worsening brain health, even at PM 2.5 concentrations well below the current national standards,” said Xiao Wu, a doctoral student in Harvard.

Antonella Zanobetti, a co-author of the study, said the new research results show that current U. S. regulations are inadequate to protect the aging American population, “highlighting the need for stricter standards and policies that help further reduce PM 2.5 concentrations and improve air quality overall”。

Women, white people, and urban populations, particularly in the Northeast, were particularly at risk, the research showed. The researchers figured that the increased effects on urban populations might be due to the “abundance of metal-bearing particles in the urban atmosphere, which have very smaller size and can access the brain directly”. They owe the increased risk to women and white people to longer life, which means the probability of death from other causes before developing Alzheimer is higher in men and nonwhites.

1. What can we learn about the new research in Paragraph 1?

A．It proved PM 2.5 was caused by fossil fuel.

B．It aimed at improving the elders' brain health.

C．It showed Alzheimer was linked to air pollution.

D．It focused on the effect of PM 2.5 on environment.

2. What is the researchers' attitude towards the current U. S. PM 2.5 national standards?

A．Supportive.

B．Disapproving.

C．Cautious.

D．Ambiguous.

3. Why do women and white people have higher risk of brain health problems?

A．They mainly live in cities.

B．They are in much worse condition.

C．They are affected by PM 2.5 more easily.

D．They live longer than men and nonwhites.

4. What's the purpose of the text?

A．To present findings of a new research.

B．To call on us to protect the environment.

C．To analyze various reasons for Alzheimer.

D．To draw our attention to the elders' health.

5 . A small bowl bought at a yard sale in Connecticut for just $ 35 has been identified as a rare 15th-century Chinese antique.

The blue-and-white bowl was made by China's royal court during the Ming dynasty. It is now expected to sell for up to $500,000, according to Sotheby's auction(拍卖)house in New York, where the auction will take place next month.

The purchase was made last year near New Haven, Connecticut. “I was just hanging around there aimlessly. But when I saw this bowl, I didn't even bargain over the $35 asking price,” the owner said. Shortly after the purchase, he sent photos of the bowl to auction specialists, who identified it as an item of historical significance.

Upon closer inspection, the artifact was found to have originated from the period of Yongle Emperor, who ruled from 1403 to 1424 - a period noted for its distinctive porcelain (瓷器)techniques. It's now valued between $300,000 and $500,000, with the top estimate nearly 14,300 times the amount it was purchased for.

“I was deeply attracted by the techniques. You can see why this bowl is so highly-valued from the very smooth porcelain body, silky glaze(上釉)and special blue coloring, which were never reproduced in later dynasties,” McAteer, an auction specialist, said.

“The Yongle Emperor improved the porcelain techniques and elevated the importance of porcelain from being an ordinary bowl into a true work of art. This small bowl has both practical and artistic value, ”McAteer said.

1. What can we infer about the bowl's owner?

A．He found the bowl by accident.

B．He hesitated during the purchase.

C．He doubted whether the bowl was real.

D．He bought the bowl because it was cheap.

2. What makes the bowl so precious?

A．The blue color on it.	B．The long history it has.
C．The people who made it.	D．The unique techniques used.

3. What does the underlined word “elevated” in Paragraph 6 probably mean?

A．Forsaw.	B．Promoted.
C．Assessed.	D．Acknowledged.

4. What's the best title of the text?

A．An Amazing Bowl	B．A Special Yard Sale
C．The Return of Porcelains	D．A Man Making Fortune

6 . VATNAJÖKULL NATIONAL PARK, ICELAND

Vatnajökull National Park is home to one of the largest glaciers in the world and two active volcanoes. A popular place to explore ice caves, you can experience here the breath-taking views of waterfalls, frozen rivers and herds of reindeer through cave tours, glacial hikes and jeep safaris.

Best time to visit: May to September.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL RUINS OF LIANGZHU CITY, CHINA

Dating back to 5,300 years ago, the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City is considered as an important representation of early urban civilization based on rice plantation. The city ruins show the contributions made by the Yangtze River Basin to the origins of Chinese civilization.

Best time to visit: March to May & October to mid December.

BAGAN, MYANMAR

Located on the banks of the Ayeyarwady River, Bagan is the capital of the ancient Burmese empire and features a stunning range of Buddhist art and architecture. Visitors can get the best views at sunrise by taking a hot air balloon ride and witness hundreds of architectural treasures as far as the eye can reach.

Best time to visit: November to February.

JAIPUR CITY, INDIA

The walled city of Jaipur is one of the most colourful cities in the world and part of India's famous Golden Triangle. The city is not only famous for its pink coloured buildings, but also the houses, shops, restaurants and hotels which give you a feast for colors.   Besides, you can enjoy the city's layout, busy streets and large public squares.   

Best time to visit: November to March.

1. Which of the following is best recommended in April?

A．Bagan.	B．Jaipur City.
C．Vatnajökull National Park.	D．Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City.

2. What is special about Bagan?

A．It features views of volcanoes.

B．It is heavy with religious culture.

C．It has a history of over 5000 years.

D．It's known for colorful architecture.

3. In which part of a magazine can you most probably read this text?

A．Geography.

B．Culture.

C．Science.

D．Environment.

7 . Training for Saving

First Aid at Work 3 days     £279

Suitable for people aged 16+ who might need to provide first aid by responding to a wide range of accidents, injuries and illnesses that they could encounter in their workplace. Ideal for organizations whose needs assessment has identified a requirement for additional first aid training, especially, having employees with a disability or a medical condition.

Lunch break. Classroom setting. Certificate to issue.

AED with Life Support 2 days     £107

Right choice for people, over 16, who want to learn how to use an automated external defibrillator （AED）. First aid for unresponsive adults in addition. Currently available at our London, Edinburgh and Reading venues; however, you can organize a training session for a group of up to 15 people at your workplace by requesting a group booking.

Certificate valid for three years.

First Aid for Teachers Training 1 day     £50

Specially designed for those working in a school environment and wishing to have the first aid skills to act in an emergency. Ideal for teachers and other school staff over 16. First aid skills to help a child who is unresponsive and breathing or not breathing, choking, having an allergic reaction or a head injury.

Not qualify the learner to act as a first aider.

Fire Marshal Training 4 days     £364

Take this if you are over 16 and responsible for fire safety or appointed fire marshals in the workplace. Come to understand how a fire starts and spreads; how to assess and manage these risks; and how to use firefighting equipment. You must be physically able to carry out the practical elements of the course.

Role play. Classroom environment. Certificate.

1. What can be learnt in the course AED with Life Support?

A．Steps to deal with massive injuries.

B．Process of preventing a terrible fire.

C．Operation of certain medical equipment.

D．Treatment for an adult's mental problems.

2. Which course costs the most per day?

A．First Aid at Work.	B．AED with Life Support.
C．First Aid for Teachers Training.	D．Fire Marshal Training.

3. What do the four courses have in common?

A．Providing certificates for trainees.

B．Having the same requirement for age.

C．Offering discount for group booking.

D．Taking more than one day to complete.

8 . In an economy where data is changing how companies create value — and compete — experts predict that using artificial intelligence (Al) at a larger scale will add as much as $I5.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. As Al is changing how companies work, many believe that who does this work will change, too — and that organizations will begin to replace human employees with intelligent machines. This is already happening: intelligent systems are displacing humans in manufacturing, service delivery, recruitment, and the financial industry, consequently moving human workers towards lower-paid jobs or making them unemployed. This trend has led some to conclude that in 2040 our workforce may be totally unrecognizable.

Are humans and machine really in competition with each other though? The history of work—particularly since the Industrial Revolution—is the history of people transferring their labor to machines. While that began with rote, repetitive physical tasks like weaving, machines have evolved to the point where they can now do what we might think of as complex cognitive work, such as math equations, recognizing language and speech, and writing. Machines thus seem ready to reproduce the work of our minds, and not just our bodies. In the 21st century, Al is evolving to be superior to humans in many tasks, which makes that we seem ready to transfer our intelligence to technology. With this latest trend, it seems like there's nothing that can't soon be automated, meaning that no job is safe from being offloaded to machines.

This vision of the future of work has taken the shape of a zero-sum game, in which there can only be one winner.

We believe, however, that this view of the role Al will play in the workplace is wrong. The question of whether Al will replace human workers assumes that Al and humans have the same qualities and abilities — but, in reality, they don't. Al — based machines are fast, more accurate, and consistently rational, but they aren't intuitive, emotional, or culturally sensitive. And, it's exactly these abilities that humans possess and which make us effective.

1. How does Al influence human life according to Paragraph 1?

A．It increases huge economic costs.	B．It dominates company's future.
C．It makes workforce totally unnecessary.	D．It changes traditional working ways.

2. What point have machines evolved to today?

A．Doing repetitive work.	B．Doing physical tasks.
C．Doing translation work.	D．Doing reproducing tasks.

3. Which sides are involved in the zero-sum game?

A．Al-based machine and humans.	B．Minds and bodies.
C．Future and past.	D．Imagination and Reality.

4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?

A．Al plays a vital role in the workplace.	B．Human has its own advantages over Al.
C．Al and humans have the same qualities.	D．Al is sure to replace humans one day.

9 . Soccer legend: They told me girls couldn't play this game

Note: Michelle Akers was a player on the US Women's National Teams who won World Cup titles in 1991 (where she won the Golden Hoot as top scorer) and 1999.

(CNN) — In third grade, I shared my dream along with my favorite football with the class, and as I proudly finished my speech, my teacher responded, "Michelle, girls cannot play football" to which I answered, "Yes, I can." I wouldn’t let it go, landing myself in the principal's office, trying not to cry. Soon, my mom arrived. “God help me now,” I thought ... until I heard her say to both my teacher and the principal, “How dare you tell my daughter what she can or cannot do.”

On Wednesday, all the world (myself included) will watch the 2019 US Women's National Team — Women's World Cup champions. I'm also thinking about how they — like I — got to the place where they lifted that trophy. To me, the 2019 World Cup and above all, this team, has taken the stories and dreams of the USWNT full circle.

It goes like this: First, you dream. Next, you play. Then, you inspire a legacy.

So many years ago, I dreamed of being a Pittsburgh Steeler. But many of the players on this 2019 World Champion USA Team sat in stadiums or watched games on TV in 1999 and dreamed of playing for the USWNT. No one could tell them they couldn't — they could see for themselves that it was possible.

They have now not only won a World Cup, but have turned their dreams into action. Dreams of being the best in the world. Dreams of equality and equal opportunity. And the actions to back them up and make them real for the people who come after them. They are demanding respect and equality from the powers that be because they know what it is to achieve more than just a trophy.

That, for me, is so very powerful. What this 2019 World Champion team demands for themselves — and put first in their lives — will be their biggest message of change: Respect. Equal opportunity. Team and family. Individual choice. Excellence. Into a new era.

And I am grateful to be celebrating them in their much deserved ticker-tape parade in the Canyon of Heroes in NYC.

1. What's the attitude of Michelle's mom towards her dream?

A．Funny.

B．Supportive.

C．Ambiguous.

D．Carefree.

2. What can we infer from Paragraph 2 about the 2019 Women’s World Cup?

A．Michelle is coaching and encouraging the team.	B．Michelle together with her team won the trophy.
C．The team carries the same dreams as Michelle's	D．The team didn't fail Michelle's great expectation.

3. What happened to Michelle during her football career?

A．She set an example to women football players.

B．She won the Golden Boot in 1999.

C．She retired from her team in 2019.

D．She recognized inequality to women in football.

4. Which of the following can be a suitable title lor the text?

A．Dream, Play and Inspire	B．Woman Football Develops
C．Football Counts More than Ever	D．Equal Playing Field Is More than Men's

10 . A few years ago. four female mountain gorillas （大猩猩）left home, abandoning not only their mate — a sick alpha silverback — but their infants （幼崽），which were barely old enough to Iced themselves. Most mammals abandoned by their mothers risk an early death, and researchers worried about the young gorillas.

Instead, the scientists got a heartwarming surprise. The young gorillas’ uncle, a male gorilla named Kubaha, began to take care of them. He let them sleep in his nest and climb all over him like a jungle gym.

Kubaha’s willingness to be a foster dad turns out to be surprisingly common in mountain gorillas. An analysis on mountain gorillas at the Gorilla Fund's Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda has revealed that when young mountain gorillas lose their mothers, they do not have a greater risk of dying or losing their place in the social hierarchy because the rest of the group buffers them from the loss. The social group has evolved to protect the infants from the ill effects of losing their mothers.

The researchers confirmed this assumption by focusing on data on 59 gorillas between the ages of 2 and 8 who lost their mothers or were orphaned （成为孤儿）before they were fully mature. They then compared the survival of these animals across their lifetimes with the survival of 139 nonorphaned gorillas. They also compared their reproductive success and social rank as adults — and tracked who the infants spent the most time with.

Not only were the orphaned and motherless gorillas at no greater risk of dying, they also suffered no long-term effect on their ability to reproduce or on their social rank, the team reports today in eLife.

The findings suggest such altruistic behavior is not unique to humans — and that dads play an important role in primate youngsters' lives, says Duke behavioral ecologist Susan Alberts, "Nonhuman primates often are really good dads," she says. 'This shows that paternal care goes very deep in our primate lineage."

1. What moved the scientists according to the first two paragraphs?

A．Young gorillas’ being abandoned.

B．Kubaha's caring for the infants.

C．Young gorillas’ sleeping in uncle's nest.

D．Young gorillas’ climbing over their uncle.

2. What is the life of motherless gorillas like?

A．Little trouble of survival.	B．Risk of dying young.
C．Loss of social status.	D．Inability to reproduce.

3. How did the researchers test their assumption about orphaned gorillas?

A．They focused on adult gorillas’ data.

B．They collected online information.

C．They tracked their companions.

D．They lived with them.

4. What does the underlined word “altruistic” in the last paragraph probably mean?

A．careless

B．fearless

C．harmless

D．selfless