1 . Aubrey is a FedEx driver who has made regular delivery stops in a rural neighborhood in Indiana. During her stops there, she would see an 11-year-old boy, Elijah, playing basketball with an old and rusty bent hoop.
"It was crazy to me how happy he was with the broken hoop. Every time I saw him, he was so joyful playing basketball. Seeing him so happy stuck with me," said Aubrey.
The FedEx driver thought about Elijah many times over the months, and decided that she wanted to bless him in a special way. "I just wouldn't stop thinking about it. I really wanted to get him a hoop. He deserves it."
Aubrey went out and bought a new basketball hoop and installed it when the family wasn't home. She left a note that read: "Just wanted you and your son to have the best hoop that'll grow with him and all his friends." She signed herself "just one of the FedEx drivers in the area".
"I read the note, and the moment I realized who it was from, I started to cry," said Coledo, Elijah's mom. "When Elijah came home and I showed it to him, he got really emotional. He got teary-eyed but he's an 11-year-old boy, so he really didn't want to admit he was crying," laughed Coledo. "He just sat there for 10 minutes staring at the hoop until it really touched him that she went out of her way to do something just for him."
Aubrey had no idea how much her surprise gift had impacted Elijah and his family. They all had gone through a difficult year with Coledo's husband suffering a serious injury, and Coledo crashing her car. "It's just been a hard year. We're so humbled and grateful she would do this for us. This has been a huge thing for us," said Coledo.
When Aubrey made another FedEx delivery to their neighborhood, Elijah saw her, ran to her and hugged her. Elijah also gave Aubrey a card he made for her. And he invited her to play a game of basketball with him and his younger brother.
"It was almost like we'd always known each other. I really bonded with the boys," said Aubrey. "I'm just really happy they know that someone is out there for them."
1. Aubrey bought Elijah a new basketball hoop because ________.| A．she wanted to make a friend using a surprise gift |
| B．she was eager to donate to children in the rural area |
| C．she was impressed by Elijah's passion for basketball |
| D．she thought Elijah was unhappy with the broken hoop |
| A．Touched. | B．Satisfied. | C．Relaxed. | D．Honored. |
| A．It helped Elijah achieve his dream. |
| B．It reduced the family's financial burden. |
| C．It gave the family warmth at a difficult time. |
| D．It encouraged Elijah to bond with the other boys. |
2 . A character in one of Shakespeare's plays once said, "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." Any of these could apply to the modern day sportsmen. Many still argue about the nature of talent. Some claim that people are born to be sportsmen, while others say it is only through devotion and hard work that they achieve their abilities. Arguably though, it is not until their talents are acknowledged by the public that they truly have greatness fallen upon them.
With this acknowledgement of their "greatness" come all the trappings of modern day celebrity：money, power, influence and responsibility. For better or for worse, like it or hate it, modern sportsmen are the role models of children everywhere. These children will grow up admiring their heroes, devoting their lives to copying their every move, and wanting above all to be like them. Due to this fascination，particularly with the massive influence of the media, it is more important than ever for these sportsmen to acknowledge their responsibility.
In the past few months alone, there have been many examples of questionable behaviors from sports icons. Sport stars of the present day are often mirroring the very worst aspects of society, a fact that the self-righteous(自以为是的) anger of the modern press has been quick to point out. It would be wrong for us to expect sportsmen to be saints. It would also be wrong for us to think that their behavior is markedly different from the sportsmen they grew up watching, but with the all-seeing eye of modern media it is a different world，and different standards must be expected.
Of course there is no obligation for sportsmen to be good role models. There are no prison sentences, no fines, no community service—unless their behaviors are illegal. Unless they break the law, it is entirely up to them as to whether or not they think their behavior is appropriate. Furthermore, measuring the true influence their decisions have on their followers is absolutely impossible. Some will rise against their idols, seeing them in a new light and condemning their actions. Others may copy their heroes' actions, using them as a shield when accused of the same crimes.
It is undeniable that the actions of sportsmen will influence the lives of those who worship them. Modern day sportsmen are almost ideals of today's world, and their actions are watched carefully by millions over the world. Some may complain against it, denying their influence on these children's lives. Others may be aware of it but not respect it, while many may both be aware of it and respect it. In a word, you do not choose whether you are a role model. All you can do is to decide how to act when greatness is thrust upon you.
1. In Paragraph 1, the author tries to emphasize________.| A．sportsmen become great when their gifts are recognized by people |
| B．sportsmen achieve greatness through their devotion and efforts |
| C．different ways for sportsmen to achieve success and greatness |
| D．the core characteristic to become great sportsmen nowadays |
| A．role models usually have positive influence on their fans |
| B．sportsmen have the right to behave freely within the law |
| C．all the fans will follow their heroes' actions |
| D．no obligation is given to sportsmen |
| A．palled off | B．removed from | C．related to | D．forced on |
| A．To advise the media to choose proper events to report. |
| B．To inform the public that sportsmen are no role models. |
| C．To remind the sportsmen of their social responsibilities. |
| D．To argue that sportsmen should not be expected as herons. |
3 . Shakespeare Week is the annual national celebration of Shakespeare in primary schools, organized by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Since its launch in 2014, over eight million primary school children have had first experiences of the world’s greatest writer. This year, Shakespeare Week runs from 16 to22 March and has a theme of art and design. It's free to register and to access the hundreds of resources on the Shakespeare Week website, including videos, plays, poetry, storytelling, debate, art and much more, providing children with first experiences of the world’s best-known writer.
Create a Shakespeare portrait
We're working with some of the nation's best-loved children's illustrators to contribute a portrait of William Shakespeare. Participants can see their artworks in a fabulous online exhibition. They can imagine their own William Shakespeare, plan and decide how they would like to represent him. Here are some suggestions:
·Make an abstract Shakespeare, Draw a sketch of Shakespeare and then use a tablet to take photographs of the portrait. Create a selection of images that show a range of thoughts and emotions.
·Children can enter their Shakespeare portraits in a competition to win the chance to have their works exhibited during Shakespeare Week. They will also receive an art workshop for their class from great artists.
Recreate Shakespeare's hometown
Some of the buildings that Shakespeare would have walked past and indeed lived in are still standing in Stratford-upon-Avon. If you can't make it along. why not recreate a miniature Stratford-upon-Avon? We offer a simple art activity created for Shakespeare Week by artist Jennie Maizels. Children can follow her step-by-step video and use the downloadable resources free on the website. It is a simple but effective tracing and copying activity, exploring watercolor and fineline pen painting and drawing techniques.
Design a storyworld
Participants can work with other children to design a “narrative environment” or “storyworld” that picks out a key or magical moment from one of Shakespeare's stories. This will offer them a great chance to explore Shakespeare's world.
Why not take your children to join us? You won't regret it!
1. Shakespeare Week________.| A．requires a registration fee | B．has a history of more than 10 years |
| C．is a yearly competition about Shakespeare | D．offers learning materials about Shakespeare |
| A．meet with popular illustrators | B．have his work shown in public |
| C．run an art workshop for his class | D．visit Shakespeare's birthplace for free |
| A．parents with kids | B．students of arts |
| C．Shakespeare's fans | D．newspaper journalists |
4 . ECycling refers to the recycling of electronic items, which are becoming a common problem in American home and throughout the world. The EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, has actually started a program to help and motivate the recycling of electronics.
To get the program to the regional and neighborhood levels, the EPA directed “Plug-In to eCyeling Partners.” These partnerships support electronic reusing programs in individual communities. They provide local governments, retailers and manufacturers with opportunities to reuse and recycle their items. Those who make and offer electronic devices then promote programs and opportunities for consumers to reuse their second-hand electronic products. One of the EPA’s goals is to enlighten customers about why the recycling of electronics is so important. They likewise wish to make eCycling chances easily accessible to specific consumers and their family electronics. According to the EPA, the eCycling program has actually been quite successful. In 2008, the EPA collected 66.5 million pounds of electronic devices through their Plug-In Partners.
Local governments have actually likewise got on board and passed laws intended to handle used electronic devices. Huge corporations have actually introduced eCycling programs at their local retail stores. One seller offers customers small, medium and big boxes for sale, which the customers then load with used electronics and go back to the store. Typically，customers bring their recyclable electronics to a location. When the electronic items are gathered by the EPA(typically this is done byt he Partners), they are reused or recycled.
Reused items are repaired and refurbished, and passed on to others as a contribution. You can repair or recondition your very own electronic devices too, extending the life of the items and conserving the energy of making new materials. Reusing electronic devices includes making use of the products and pats of the items. These materials and parts are then made use of to produce another item. This is more efficient than making items from new materials.
Some items that are commonly eCycled consist of televisions, computer monitors, printers, notebook computer, keyboards and cable televisions. Less usual items include copying machines, CDplayers, voice mail machines, computer hard drives, mobile telephones, remote controls, radios, batteries, telephones, facsimile machines and computer games. Occasionally, electronic items such as microwaves, fans, vacuums, smoke alarms, and toasters are eCycled.
As the eCycling program continues, you or your organization may want to get involved. Check the EPA’s internet site (www.epa.gov) for regional eCycling programs, or for details on how your company can participate. Their website has links to organizations that are taking part in the eCycling program.
1. The EPA brought about “Plug-In to eCycling Partners” to__________.| A．make and offer electronic devices to consumers |
| B．make customers understand the importance of eCycling |
| C．make the program accessible to local regions and communities |
| D．make it possible for consumers to reuse their used e-products |
| A．repairing electronic device | B．gathering recyclable electronics |
| C．reusing second-hand e-products | D．offering customers different boxes for sale. |
| A．People can sell their reused items on the Internet. |
| B．Individuals can’t take part in eCycling programs. |
| C．Devices of computers are well eCycled. |
| D．Not every electronic item can be eCycled. |
| A．To introduce a new way to save costs. |
| B．To teach customers how to recycle electronics. |
| C．To attract people to join in the eCycling programs. |
| D．To call on local governments to support Plug-In Partners. |
5 . Every day, it seems that some new algorithm (算法) enables computers to diagnose a disease with unprecedented accuracy, renewing predictions that computer's will soon replace doctors. What if computers could replace patients as well? If virtual humans could have replaced real people in some stages of a coronavirus vaccine trial, it could have sped development of a preventive tool and slowed down the pandemic. Similarly, potential vaccines that weren't likely to work could have been identified early, reducing trial costs and avoiding testing poor vaccine candidates on living volunteers. These are some of the benefits of “in silico medicine”, or the testing of drugs and treatments on virtual organs or body systems to predict how a real person will respond to the therapies.
The modeling begins by feeding anatomical data drawn from noninvasive (非侵入式) high- resolution imaging of an individual's actual organ into a complex mathematical model of the mechanisms that govern that organ's function. Algorithms running on powerful computers resolve the resulting equations and unknowns, generating a virtual organ that looks and behaves like the real thing.
In silico clinical trials are already underway to an extent. Heart Flow Analysis, for instance, enables clinicians to identify CAD (冠心病) based on CT images of a patient's heart. The Heart Flow system uses these images to construct a fluid dynamic model of the blood running through the coronary blood vessels, thereby identifying abnormal conditions and their severity. Without this technology, doctors would need to perform an invasive operation to decide whether and how to intervene. Experimenting on digital models of individual patients can also help personalize therapy for any number of conditions and is already used in diabetes care.
The philosophy behind in silico medicine is not new. The ability to create and simulate the performance of an object under hundreds of operating conditions has been a cornerstone of engineering for decades, such as for designing electronic circuits, airplanes and buildings. Various obstacles remain to its widespread implementation in medical research and development.
The predictive power and reliability of this technology must be confirmed, and that will require several advances. Those include the generation of high quality medical databases from a large, ethnically diverse patient base that has both women and men; improvement of mathematical models to account for the many interacting processes in the body; and further modification of Al methods that were developed mainly for computer-based speech and image recognition and need to be extended to provide biological insights.
In recent years American and European regulators have approved some commercial uses of computer-based diagnostics, but meeting regulatory demands requires considerable time and money. Creating demand for these computer-based diagnostic tools is challenging as well. In silico medicine must be able to deliver cost-effective value for patients, clinicians and health care organizations to accelerate their adoption of the technology.
1. According to the text, “in silico medicine” might help ________.| A．discover the cause of an illness |
| B．quicken the creation of new medicine |
| C．recognize the symptoms of a disease earlier |
| D．avoid including unhealthy volunteers in trials |
| A．works effectively in CAD treatment |
| B．offers personalized therapies to patients |
| C．reduces the chances of invasive operations |
| D．builds models after identifying abnormal conditions |
| A．money and time from the regulators |
| B．replacement of old mathematical models |
| C．more proof of its effectiveness and dependability |
| D．progress in speech and image recognition technology |
| A．Looking to Al to End Experimental Study |
| B．In Silico Medicine Saved Millions of Lives |
| C．Exploring the Future of Algorithm in Medicine |
| D．Virtual Patients Could Revolutionize Medicine |
6 . For today’s increasingly interconnected food supply chains, “efficient” is what it’s supposed to be: Each country specializes in what it’s best, at and puts it on the global market. Producers and processors within countries specialize, too, as a way to minimize costs. As a result, at least in theory, prices stay low, the world gets fed and everyone wins.
However, the coronavirus crisis demonstrates what is wrong with this approach. When barriers prevent food from reaching its markets, or demand suddenly drops — both of which are happening now — the system falls apart.
Specialization of the food system makes it hard to shift into different markets when disruptions arise. Belgium, a leading exporter of potatoes, lost sales not only to local restaurants but also to other countries because of lockdowns（封锁）. At least the Belgians can try to eat the potatoes at home. That strategy won't work for every crop: Ghana, the world’s top cocoa exporter, lost markets when people stalled focusing on buying essential items instead of chocolate.
The loss in export income in Africa more generally could have a huge impact if the pandemic continues, as many countries there rely heavily on imported wheat and rice. The prices of these grains have soared not only because of rising demand for these grains during the crisis, but also because a few countries — including Russia and Vietnam — imposed export restrictions out of fear that sending food abroad would lead to higher prices at home.
Concentrated markets dominated by just a handful of companies heighten food system fragility. For example, just three meatpacking plants process over 95 percent of Canada’s beef and nearly all of its beef exports. Now, those meat processing plants have had to temporarily shut down because of outbreaks of COVID-19 among workers.
Seeing the spoiled products across the world should force all of us to rethink our “efficient” food supplies. We need to rejuvenate（使恢复活力）local and regional food systems to reduce the vulnerabilities that come with being too reliant on imported and corporate-dominated foods. This doesn’t mean cutting off all trade or abolishing all packaged foods, but it does mean building diversity, and increasing opportunities for small and medium-scale enterprises to flourish in shorter, more sustainable food supply chains that are closer to home.
One place to start is for governments to shift their support from the large-scale, specialized and export-oriented food system to building infrastructure for more diverse local food systems. Around the world, small-scale and organic producers have been overwhelmed with the surge in interest from customers who want to buy directly from farmers during the crisis. But these producers often lack the infrastructure to meet that demand. As governments around the world pass stimulus packages to address the crisis, building more diverse and localized food systems should be an obvious inclusion.
1. In theory, specialization of the food system ________.| A．adapts to changes efficiently | B．balances supply and demand |
| C．focuses on essential items | D．reduces costs of production |
| A．weakness | B．diversity |
| C．unfairness | D．complexity |
| A．A few countries restrict exports to stabilize local food prices. |
| B．Grain prices rise due to Africa’s dependence on importation. |
| C．Ghana might be less affected by lockdowns than Belgium was. |
| D．Packaged-food consumption should be encouraged to address the crisis. |
| A．expose food security issues during the crisis |
| B．advocate establishing diverse local food systems |
| C．discuss the development of a sustainable economy |
| D．prove the importance of sound government policies |
(WAIKING WATER EXPERIMENT)
Walking Water Science Experiment for Kids
Let's get set up for walking water with a few quick and easy steps the kids can definitely be a part of! We used test tubes for three sets of primary colors. You can use less as long as you have enough to go around with all the colors mixing. First, add red, yellow, and blue food coloring (one color per test tube) in order. Give each test tube a little stir (搅拌)to evenly distribute the color. Try to put the same amount of food coloring in each container. Cut thin strips of white paper towel to fit in the test tubes. Place them into the test tubes. There will be two ends in each tube. Wait and watch what happens. At this point, you can set up a stopwatch to make notes of how long it takes for the colors to meet and mix.
Before you insert the strips, you have the perfect opportunity to make some predictions about what will happen. Have your kids come up with a prediction for their experiment? Will the water walk? You can start the conversation with "What do you think will happen when we put the towels into the water?"
The whole process starts pretty quickly, but it does take a while for the colors to begin to mix with each other. Extend the science activity: pull out the watercolors and do some color mixing art while you wait. Make sure to check on your walking water science experiment every once in a while to see the changes that are constantly taking place. The kids will be amazed at how the water seems to fight against gravity! As the paper towels absorb the colored water, the water travels up the towel strip. It meets up with the other colored water that has traveled up the neighboring strip. Where the primary colors interact, they turn into the secondary colors. Both colors will continue to travel as long as the towel fibers absorb the water.
The experiment is colorful and simple to do! Plus, it is interesting for multiple ages. Older kids should be able to set it up all by themselves and can also use our science journal page to record their results.
1. What materials are needed for the experiment?| A．Test tubes, food coloring and paper towel. |
| B．Drinking water, test tubes and a notebook. |
| C．Food coloring, water cups and a paper cutter. |
| D．Mixed colors, towel strips and food containers. |
| A．add three colors into each container |
| B．set up a stopwatch from the beginning |
| C．put colorful towel strips in the test tubes |
| D．stir each test tube to make the color even |
| A．food coloring has the power to take in water |
| B．towel fibers absorb water and allow it to travel |
| C．water flows naturally under the influence of gravity |
| D．colors interact with each other and thus travel easily |
8 . Iceland has long been identified as having unique environments. Here you can walk and swim between tectonic (地壳构造的) plates, bath in geothermal waters, and experience the wild landscapes. Furthermore, these unique environments have attracted the space-science community to use Iceland as one of its test sites for missions travelling to Mars (火星).
DAY 1
Arrive in Reykjavik.
After check-in, you will visit the geothermal pools of the Blue Lagoon to relax after your flight, before returning to your hotel to freshen up. You will then head to the Aurora Basecamp Observatory, where you will be able to see the northern lights recreated indoors. In the evening, space expert Niamh Shaw will give the first of two talks on our attempt to establish bases on other planets.
DAY 2
After breakfast, you will set out on special vehicles towards Þingvellir National Park, a registered UNESCO world heritage (遗产) site accompanied by Niamh. Here, you will have the opportunity to do something that you can’t do anywhere else, the opportunity to swim between the tectonic plates. In the evening, you will enjoy a second talk from Niamh.
DAY 3
Today you begin your journey towards the 2020 NASA test site, where the NASA SAND_E Mars Rover is being tested. NASA scientists will be on hand to explain the project, along with updates of the current Mars missions and the most recent findings.
DAY 4
In 2019, Iceland Space Agency hosted the ISAGEVR1 Expedition to Grimsvötn Volcano on top of the Vatnajökull Glacier (冰川) to field test the MS1 Mars Analog Spacesuit designed by the NASA/Johnson space centre. We will be working together with the agency to create a unique experience for you today on the glacier.
DAY 5
In the afternoon, you will reach the bridge between the continents, spanning a gap in between the two tectonic plates, on your way to Keflavik Airport and your evening flight home.
1. Who would be most interested in this travel arrangement to Iceland?| A．Fiction writers. |
| B．Space enthusiasts. |
| C．Wildlife protectors. |
| D．Professional swimmers. |
| A．Day 1 and Day 2. |
| B．Day 2 and Day 3. |
| C．Day 3 and Day 4. |
| D．Day 4 and Day 5. |
| A．“We hope to offer you a great opportunity to enjoy hiking.” |
| B．“We will let you explore how NASA is a part of everyday life.” |
| C．“We want to help you discover space science through the joy of travel.” |
| D．“We will provide you a chance to experience the culture near the Arctic Circle.” |
9 . Researchers at CU Boulder have developed a wearable device that changes the human body into a biological battery. The device is stretchy(弹性的) enough that you can wear it like a ring, sport band or any other thing that touches your skin. It also taps into a person's natural heat-employing thermoelectric generators to change the body's internal temperature into electricity. "In the future, we want to be able to power your wearable electronics without having to include a battery," said Jianliang Xiao, an associate professor at CU Boulder.
The concept may sound like something out of The Matrix film series, in which a race of robots have enslaved humans to harvest their precious organic energy. Xiao and his colleagues aren't that ambitious: Their devices can generate about 1 volt (伏特) of energy for every square centimeter of skin space-less volt per area than what most existing batteries provide but still enough to power electronics like watches or fitness trackers.
Scientists have previously experimented with similar wearable devices, but Xiao's is stretchy, can heal itself when damaged and is fully recyclable-making it a cleaner alternative to traditional electronics. "Whenever you use a battery, you're depleting(消耗) that battery and will, eventually, need to replace it," Xiao said. "The nice thing about our device is that you can wear it, and it provides you with constant power."
Just pretend that you're out for a jog. As you exercise, your body heats up, and that heat will radiate out to the cool air around you. Xiao's device captures that flow of energy rather than let it go to waste. "The thermoelectric generators are in close contact with the human body, and they can use the heat that would normally be sent into the environment," Xiao said.
1. What does Xiao expect of his device at present?| A．It will be used for medical purposes. |
| B．It will be made smaller and wearable. |
| C．It will change natural power into electricity. |
| D．It will supply constant power to wearable devices. |
| A．To give an explanation. | B．To make a comparison. |
| C．To introduce a topic. | D．To analyze the cause. |
| A．The strengths of Xiao's device. |
| B．The convenience of using a battery. |
| C．The replacement of wearable devices. |
| D．The development of traditional electronics. |
| A．It operates with plenty of power. |
| B．It is designed for practical use. |
| C．It benefits people's health in a way. |
| D．It's based on traditional electronics. |
10 . Love, joy, and the warm feeling of pulling together to get through tough times don’t cost a thing. But gifts do cost money. So, what’s a poor family to do?
When Christmas season rolled around again, I told my mother that the only thing I wanted was a pogo-stick (弹簧单高跷). However, my mother told me they were too expensive and that we simply couldn’t afford one.
On a Saturday afternoon a couple of weeks before Christmas, my mom and dad told me we needed to go to Sears to pay our-credit card bill. While my mother and I were at the counter paying the bill, my dad said, “I’ll be right back — I need to see something in the tool department.” A little later, my dad came back with a long box. I remember wondering at that very moment if it was a pogo-stick in that box.
When we arrived back at home, my dad put the box in the garage. While my parents were busy with their chores, I quietly walked out to the garage and found the box. I was so excited and I knew that as soon as I opened that magical box my bright, shiny pogo-stick would appear. No such luck! Inside the box was a silly old broom. And so Christmas morning was both great and disappointing. I got some nice gifts but I didn't get the present that I really wanted.
After all the wrapping paper was cleaned up my dad said he needed to tend to something in the garage. When he came back in, he was carrying a beautiful pogo-stick. I couldn’t believe it! My parents probably got quite a laugh from the trick they played on me.
Although we didn’t have much money, my parents gave me the most important gift of all: lots of love. My dad worked hard to provide for us and my mother knew how to stretch a dollar. That was over 60 years ago and I still think about those wonderful Christmas memories every year during the holiday season. My parents were the best and I will never forget all the joy they brought into my life.
1. Why did the author’s mother refuse to give him a pogo-stick?| A．They’re dangerous for kids to play with. | B．They didn’t have enough money to buy one. |
| C．She had already bought him another gift. | D．He already had too many pogo-sticks. |
| A．Amazed. | B．Disappointed. | C．Hopeful. | D．Doubtful. |
| A．Their unconditional love. |
| B．His pogo-stick. |
| C．The ability to get through tough times. |
| D．All the great memories of Christmas |
