2 . The world's largest iceberg is floating toward South Georgia in the southern Atlantic Ocean. Scientists fear the iceberg could crash into the island and block major feeding areas for a large population of penguins and seals. If the iceberg hits the island, it could prevent the penguins and seals from reaching food supplies.

The huge iceberg is named A68a. It broke away from Antarctica's Larsen C Ice Shelf in 2017. Satellite images show the iceberg has remained in one piece. It is estimated to be about 150 kilometers long and 48 kilometers wide. It is traveling at one kilometer per hour and is on a path to hit South Georgia in around 30 days.

This is the time of year when seals and penguins spend a lot of time caring for their young. The distance that parents have to travel to find food is crucial. That means they have to go a lot further or go around the iceberg to find sources of food.

Ecologists say an iceberg crash would also disturb materials settled on the seabed, possibly polluting the surrounding seas. As the iceberg melts, it would also release large amounts of fresh water into the ocean. This could affect krill （磷虾）populations that are a major source of food for the island's wildlife. The iceberg could remain for up to 10 years and change the area's whole ecosystem. These are globally significant populations of these species. If these species fail in this particular area, then the numbers globally are going to go down quite dramatically.

Professor Geraint Tarling, an ecologist at the British Antarctic Survey, said, "The breaking off of icebergs from Antarctica is a natural process. But the process is changing with climate change. What we're seeing with models and some observations now is that this is happening at an increasing rate. And so, this might become more of a usual thing in the future."

1. Why are the scientists worried about the coming iceberg crash?

A．It will bring extremely cold weather.

B．It will destroy the feeding areas of the animals.

C．It will put wildlife on the island at risk of starving.

D．It will prevent animals from moving to other places.

2. What is paragraph 2 mainly about?

A．The characteristic of the iceberg.

B．The importance of the iceberg.

C．The traveling speed of the iceberg.

D．The forming process of the iceberg.

3. What damage can an iceberg crash bring according to paragraph 4?

A．Using up much fresh water.

B．Polluting the surrounding farms.

C．Changing the world's ecosystem.

D．Affecting the number of certain species.

4. How does Tarling think of the breaking off of icebergs from Antarctica?

A．It may slow down in the near future.

B．It may become common in the future.

C．It has a great influence on the climate.

D．It helps scientists conduct a sea study.

3 . If you are planning a tour to France, September is one of the best choices. Not only will you get to enjoy plenty of sunshine and warm weather, but the tourist season is beginning to wind down-which means cheaper airfares, lower prices at hotels, and fewer crowds. If this is your first trip to France , here is some handy information to help you!

Visiting Museums

Many museums in France have extended opening hours   during the summer to adapt to the extra tourists from home and abroad, and some museums also have extended opening hours into September. Wandering around the Louvre（卢浮宫）will take you into a wonder world, where you can enjoy world- famous art. Going out of the Louvre, you can walk to the modern and fashionable Chumps Elysees to do some shopping.

Taking a Cruise（乘船游览）

The temperatures are slightly lower, but plenty of sunshine makes for perfect conditions to enjoy a barge cruise on the canals of France. Willi such comfortable weather and beautiful scenery   at this time of year, nothing equals hanging out on the deck of a barge.

Wine Tasting

September is the beginning of the grape harvest season in France meaning there are plenty of wine- related events and festivals around the country. So September is a great time to visit the vineyards(葡萄园） around the country and go wine tasting. The Bordeaux, Loire and Burgundy regions are all lovely and great places to visit vineyards. Besides that, going to the castles of the Loire region between visiting vineyards on such warm and sunny days is also very enjoyable.

Besides the above, riding a bike through France's villages is also a welcome activity for young visitors in September. So, don't hesitate and start to plan your September trip to France now.

1. When do many French museums extend their opening hours?

A．In Jan. & Feb..	B．In Apr. & May .
C．In Aug. & Sep..	D．In Nov. & Dec..

2. Where should you go if you want to visit both vineyards and castles?

A．Bordeaux.

B．Loire.

C．Burgundy.

D．Champs Ely sees.

3. How do you like France in September?

A．Warm but crowded.	B．Cool but much noisy.
C．Cold and less noisy.	D．Sunny and less crowded.

4 . The traditional Chinese lunar calendar(农历）divides the year into 24 solar terms(节气）．Start of Winter, the 19th solar term of the year,begins this year on Nov 7 and ends on Nov 21.

Start of Winter is the first solar term of winter,which means winter is coming and crops harvested in autumn should he stored up.

In ancient times, the Start of Winter was regarded as the beginning of winter, however,due to geographical factors, the actual winter time varies from place to place.

In fact,the Start of Winter is not the beginning of winter in terms of meteorology(气象学）。The weather every year is different, so the beginning of winter could be quite different.And as China is very large, it starts at different times in different areas.

The beginnings of the four seasons were important festivals in ancient times. Before the Start of Winter,the ancient emperor would take a shower and have no more meat.On that day,the emperor would lead his officials to the countryside and"welcome the winter".

People eat dumplings on the beginning of winter. Legend has it that in the late Eastern Han Dynasty,Zhang Zhongjing invented "Jiao Ear"(娇耳）to treat typhoid(伤寒） patients with ear frostbite(冻疮）.He cooked mutton,hot peppers and herbs to drive out the cold and warm up the body.He put these materials into a dough skin and made them into an ear shape.Since then,people have learned to make the food which became known as "dumpling" or jiaozi. Today there is still a saying that goes "Eat dumplings on Start of Winter Day, or your ears will be frostbitten.”

1. Which of the following is right about Start of Winter?

A．It is one of the solar terns in Chinese calendar.

B．People begin to harvest crops on this day.

C．Winter begins on November 7 this year.

D．It begins in different months in different places.

2. What does it in paragraph 4 refer to?

A．the Start of Winter

B．the change of weather

C．the important festival

D．the beginning of winter

3. What do the last two paragraphs mainly talk about?

A．Importance of Start of Winter.

B．Customs of Start of Winter.

C．Origin(起源）of Start of Winter.

D．Food eaten on Start of Winter.

4. Why do people eat dumplings on Start of Winter day?

A．Because dumplings can drive away typhoid.

B．Because they wish for good luck for themselves.

C．Because eating dumplings can warm up their ears.

D．Because they want to prevent the coming of winter.

5 . A day away from the stress of city life!

A perfect experience for nature lovers!

Our One — Day tour will take you to see the most beautiful sunset and sunrise at the top of Mt. Huangshan （Yellow Mountain）.

Schedule

Early in the morning: take the cable car to the top of the mountain to see the breathtaking sunrise at Cloud Dispelling Pavilion.

Late in the morning: Visit such famous places as the Sixinfeng Peak, the Black Tiger pine tree, the Writing Brush Peak or the Xihai Scenic Area.

At noon: have a traditional Chinese lunch at a hotel on the top of the mountain.

In the afternoon: go to the city centre of Huangshan and take a walk along Tunxi Old Street, where traditional old buildings line the quiet street.

In the evening :Return to the Cloud Dispelling Pavillion to enjoy the sunset.

Price:$327

What's included

Professional and friendly English-speaking tour guide; Breakfast, lunch, dinner; All entrance fees; Cable car fees to and from the Cloud Dispelling Pavillion; Two nights at Beihai hotel or similar standard hotels; Hotel pickup and drop-off.

What's not included

Expenses to and from Mt. Huangshan;

Local Chinese-speaking tour guide;

Other attractions not included in the schedule.

1. Where should the tourists go to see the sunset and sunrise?

A．Sixinfeng Peak.	B．Xihai Scenic Area.
C．Cloud Dispelling Pavilion.	D．Writing Brush Peak.

2. When will the tourists go to Tunxi Old Street?

A．In the morning.

B．At noon.

C．In the afternoon.

D．In the evening.

3. This one-day tour is most probably suitable for        .

A．the British

B．the Chinese

C．the Dutch

D．the Germans

6 . Rome is recognized across the globe for its classical artwork, but recently the city's street art has been drawing attention. While many urban artists stick to painting murals（壁画），one Italian sculptor is resisting the trend with his wonderful works made from an unusual material. Andrea Gandini, a native of Rome in his early twenties, has been recognized for his wood carvings of old tree trunks scattered across the city's landscape.

Gandini's Trocomorto, or "dead trunk" project, began in 2018, when the artist ran out of sculpting clay. That's when he noticed the remains of an old tree stump in his neighborhood. He realized that Rome was full of potential canvases（画布）just waiting to be given a new life. "Bringing trees back to life" is exactly how Gandini and others describe his art.

Due to years of poor care by the city, many trees became diseased and had to be cut down. This resulted in lots of old stumps that degraded the streets of Rome, which were costly to remove. However, they have been a perfect canvas of Gandini, who has completed over 50 carvings across the city.

Gandini gives each old tree trunk a face and personality of its own. By recognizing each formerly living tree as individual, he hopes to give them some dignity in death and respect each of them with their own headstone of sorts. For those that can't make the trip to Rome, Gandini documents his works of art on Facebook.

Gandini's “dead trunk" project reminds us of what Auguste Rodin says, "There is no lack of beauty in the world, but a lack of eyes to find it." All is beautiful in the eyes of the artist, for his keen eye sees through the heart of all living things. To discover its character is to pierce its outer form and touch its inner truth. This "truth" is also "beauty".

1. What has drawn people's attention recently in Rome according to the passage?

A．Its classical artwork.	B．Its traditional murals.
C．Its street wood carvings.	D．Its unusual material.

2. Which statement is NOT correct about Gandini's works?

A．They are full of life.	B．They follow the trend of murals.
C．They beautify the city.	D．They are appreciated by some artists.

3. What does Gandini try to put in his works?

A．Dignity and respect.	B．Beauty and kindness.
C．Hope and personality.	D．Death and art.

4. What can we learn from this passage?

A．Beauty is always around for keen eyes.

B．Inner truth is difficult to find.

C．We live in a world lacking beauty.

D．Grandini is a person who loves nature and truth.

7 . When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Here are some British etiquette(礼仪) and customs international students ought to know.

Visiting

In most houses in Britain, the doors are usually kept closed. It is customary to visit people at a pre-arranged time and day. Usually, people are not comfortable if you just drop in. Nevertheless, if someone says to drop in at any time, feel free to do so as long as it is not in the middle of the night. When you go into someone's house, do take your hat off (men only). It is impolite for men to wear hats indoors especially in churches.

Greeting

In Britain, the handshake is a common form of greeting. When you meet people for the first time, it is normal to shake hands. A firm handshake is the norm(标准); there are no issues over gender in Britain. The usual formal greeting is ''How do you do? '' and a firm hand shake, but with a lighter touch between men and women. In Britain, unlike some other European countries, it is unusual to embrace or kiss the other person (unless they are family or a very close friend).

Gifts

During birthday and Christmas celebrations, it is common for the British to exchange gifts between family members and close friends. The gift doesn’t need to be expensive, but it should usually show an attempt to find something that is related to the recipient's(接受者) interests. When invited to someone's home, it is normal to take along a box of good chocolates, a bottle of good wine or a bunch of beautiful flowers. Note that gifts are opened when received.

Punctuality

The British are generally punctual(守时的), especially the scots. The British consider it impolite if you turn up late for an appointment. In most cases, the people you are meeting will be on time, call even if you will be 5 minutes later than you've promised. If you have been late or fail to keep your appointment, make an effort to contact the person to let them know. It is a good idea to telephone and offer your apologies.

1. What do the British men usually do when they meet for the first time?

A．Embrace or kiss each other.	B．shake hands firmly.
C．Bring an expensive gift.	D．Take off their hats immediately.

2. What present may the author recommend you if you attend a birthday party in Britain?

A．A book the receiver is interested in.	B．A pet that you think is cute.
C．A red envelope with some money.	D．A fantastic and expensive bike.

3. Which of the following may be considered not polite for visiting British people?

A．Visit them at a scheduled time.	B．Show up on time instead of arriving earlier.
C．Phone to tell them if one will be late.	D．Pay an unexpected visit to give them a surprise.

8 . According to a recent study in the Journal of Consumer Research, both the size and consumption habits of our eating companions can influence our food intake. And contrary to existing research that says you should avoid eating with heavier people who order large portions(份), it's the beanpoles with big appetites you really need to avoid.

To test the effect of social influence on eating habits, the researchers conducted two experiments. In the first, 95 undergraduate women were individually invited into a lab to ostensibly(表面上)participate in a study about movie viewership. Before the film began, each woman was asked to help herself to a snack. An actor hired by the researchers grabbed her food first. In her natural state, the actor weighed 105 pounds. But in half the cases she wore a specially designed fat suit which increased her weight to 180 pounds.

Both the fat and thin versions of the actor took a large amount of food. The participants followed suit, taking more food than they normally would have. However, they took significantly more when the actor was thin.

For the second test, in one case the thin actor took two pieces of candy from the snack bowls. In the other case, she took 30 pieces. The results were similar to the first test: the participants followed suit but took significantly more candy when the thin actor took 30 pieces.

The tests show that the social environment is extremely influential when we're making decisions. If this fellow participant is going to eat more, so will I. Call it the “I’ll have what she's having” effect. However, we'll adjust the influence. If an overweight person is having a large portion, I'll hold back a bit because I see the results of his eating habits. But if a thin person eats a lot, I'll follow suit. If he can eat much and keep slim, why can't I?

1. What is the recent study mainly about?

A．Food safety.	B．Movie viewership.
C．Consumer demand.	D．Eating behavior.

2. What does the underlined word “beanpoles” in paragraph 1 refer to?

A．Big eaters.	B．Overweight persons.
C．Picky eaters.	D．Tall thin persons.

3. Why did the researchers hire the actor?

A．To see how she would affect the participants.

B．To test if the participants could recognize her.

C．To find out what she would do in the two tests.

D．To study why she could keep her weight down.

4. On what basis do we “adjust the influence” according to the last paragraph?

A．How hungry we are.	B．How slim we want to be.
C．How we perceive others.	D．How we feel about the food.

9 . POETRY CHALLENGE

Write a poem about how courage, determination, and strength have helped you face challenges in your life.

Prizes

3 Grand Prizes:Trip to Washington, D.C. for each of three winners, a parent and one other person of the winner’s choice. Trip includes round-trip air tickets, hotel stay for two nights, and tours of the National Air and Space Museum and the office of National Geographic World.

6 First Prizes:The book Sky Pioneer:A Photobiography of Amelia Earhart signed by author Corinne Szabo and pilot Linda Finch.

50 Honorable Mentions:Judges will choose up to 50 honorable mention winners, who will each receive a T-shirt in memory of Earhart’s final flight.

Rules

Follow all rules carefully to prevent disqualification.

■Write a poem using 100 words or fewer. Your poem can be any format, any number of lines.

■Write by hand or type on a single sheet of paper. You may use both the front and back of the paper.

■On the same sheet of paper, write or type your name, address, telephone number, and birth date.

■Mail your entry to us by October 31 this year.

1. How many people can each grand prize winner take on the free trip?

A．Two.

B．Three.

C．Four.

D．Six.

2. What will each of the honorable mention winners get?

A．A plane ticket.	B．A book by Corinne Szabo.
C．A special T-shirt.	D．A photo of Amelia Earhart.

3. Which of the following will result in disqualification?

A．Typing your poem out.	B．Writing a poem of 120 words.
C．Using both sides of the paper.	D．Mailing your entry on October 30.

10 . Jenifer Mauer has needed more willpower than the typical college student to pursue her goal of earning a nursing degree. That willpower bore fruit when Jennifer graduated from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and became the first in her large family to earn a bachelor's degree.

Mauer, of Edgar, Wisconsin, grew up on a farm in a family of 10 children. Her dad worked at a job away from the farm, and her mother ran the farm with the kids. After high school, Jennifer attended a local technical college, working to pay her tuition(学费), because there was no extra money set aside for a college education. After graduation, she worked to help her sisters and brothers pay for their schooling.

Jennifer now is married and has three children of her own. She decided to go back to college to advance her career and to be able to better support her family while doing something she loves: nursing. She chose the UW-Eau Claire program at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield because she was able to pursue her four-year degree close to home. She could drive to class and be home in the evening to help with her kids. Jenifer received great support from her family as she worked to earn her degree: Her husband worked two jobs to cover the bills, and her 68-year-old mother helped take care of the children at times.

Through it all, she remained in good academic standing and graduated with honors. Jennifer sacrificed(牺牲)to achieve her goal, giving up many nights with her kids and missing important events to study. ''Some nights my heart was breaking to have to pick between my kids and studying for exams or papers,'' she says. However, her children have learned an important lesson witnessing their mother earn her degree. Jennifer is a first-generation graduate and an inspiration to her family-and that's pretty powerful.

1. What did Jennifer do after high school?

A．She helped her dad with his work.

B．She ran the family farm on her own.

C．She supported herself through college.

D．She taught her sisters and brothers at home.

2. Why did Jennifer choose the program at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield?

A．To take care of her kids easily.	B．To learn from the best nurses.
C．To save money for her parents.	D．To find a well-paid job there.

3. What did Jennifer sacrifice to achieve her goal?

A．Her health.	B．Her time with family.
C．Her reputation.	D．Her chance of promotion.

4. What can we learn from Jenifer's story?

A．Time is money.	B．Love breaks down barriers.
C．Hard work pays off.	D．Education is the key to success.