1 . A 15-year-old scientist and inventor has been named as Time's first ever Kid of the Year.
Rao is a high school student from Colorado. She was chosen from 5,000 U.S.-based nominees ( 提 名 ). Time said in a statement that Rao stood out for her ability to apply scientific ideas to real-world problems and her efforts to motivate other kids to take up their own causes. Rao told the Associated Press that the prize is “nothing that I could have ever imagined. And I'm so grateful and just so excited that we're really taking a look at the upcoming generation and our generation, since the future is in our hands.” She insists that starting out small doesn't matter, as long as you're enthusiastic about it.
It's just the latest recognition for the teenager, who was named last year to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. Rao won praise in 2017 after she developed a portable device（设备） to detect lead (铅) in water. She went on to cooperate with scientists in the water industry to try to get the device on the market.
The young scientist has also developed an app called Kindly that uses artificial intelligence to help prevent cyberbullying (网络欺凌). It allows teens to type in a word or phrase to find out if the words they're using are hurtful and amount to（等于）bullying, and thus should be avoided.
In an interview with Time, Rao said that her pursuits（追求） in science started early as a way to improve conditions in society. In a world where science is increasingly questioned or challenged, Rao insists that its pursuit is an important act of kindness. It is the best way that a younger generation can better the world. Science and technology are being employed as never before to handle various issues, such as global warming, the outbreak of disease and so on, she noted.
“We have science in everything we're involved in, and I think that's the biggest thing to put out there, that science is cool, invention is cool, and anybody can be an inventor," Rao said.“ Anybody can do science.
1. What is one of the reasons for Rao being honored by Time?| A．The up-to-date ideas she had come up with. |
| B．The large amounts of time she had devoted. |
| C．The influence she has on young generations. |
| D．The optimistic attitude she holds to the future. |
| A．functional | B．environment-friendly |
| C．efficient | D．money-saving |
| A．Her tolerance for problems. | B．Her amazing brain power. |
| C．Her exposure to challenges. | D．Her concern about society. |
| A．High School Student Struggling for Big Dream |
| B．Young Scientist Named TIME's Kid of the Year |
| C．Scientific Achievements Applied to Our Real Life |
| D．Advanced Inventions Used in Bettering the World |
2 . Two unusual groups — the same companies that are causing the most pollution, the BP oil company and Delta Air Lines, both announced plans to become carbon neutral (碳中和) by 2050 through decreasing resource usage as well as applying useful technology. Several other large oil companies, like Shell, Total, and Eni, have announced similar goals. Other airlines, like Qantas and JetBlue, are working on the same plan. Since airline travel causes around 2- 3% of the world’s greenhouse gases, making airlines carbon neutral would be a great step. Some people believe the companies are “greenwashing”. They are running the businesses the way they used to perform, and none plan to stop their polluting activities right away. Or some companies plan to meet some climate goals by buying “carbon offsets (补偿)”which means paying someone else to cut pollution or remove greenhouse gases. But it’s not always clear that offsetting truly lowers pollution.
Global heating is a huge part of the climate emergency. The world is getting hotter mainly because humans are burning “fossil (化石) fuels” like coal and oil. These fuels give off pollutants often called greenhouse gases. To become carbon neutral, it’s necessary to stop burning fossil fuels. Climate experts have said the best solution is to leave oil and coal in the ground, although it’s still hard to reach for the moment. The usual way most companies adopt is planting trees and allowing more areas for forest. “It’s slow but good,” said an expert from UNEP.
Man-made technology to remove large quantities of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere doesn’t exist yet. The idea behind this technology is that polluting gases could be removed from the atmosphere, caught, and stored somehow — usually underground. Though many questions remain about how the companies hope to meet their goals, since the main technology they expect and need is inaccessible, their planned changes are actually keeping up with the development of modern society. What’s more, they are putting billions of dollars into the effort to make carbon catch technology happen.
1. Why do some people say the companies mentioned in paragraph 1 are greenwashing?| A．They just buy carbon offsets. | B．They pay lip service to environmental issues. |
| C．They all plan to be carbon neutral. | D．They do not share a common plan and goal. |
| A．Expanding forest coverage. | B．Stopping burning fossil fuels. |
| C．Catching and storing the gases. | D．Closing down polluting factories. |
| A．Ambiguous. | B．Skeptical. | C．Positive. | D．Critical. |
| A．What Possibly Leads to Global Heating |
| B．Companies Take on Climate Emergency |
| C．Who Are Responsible for Greenhouse Gases |
| D．Technology for Climate Change Is on the Way |
3 . One of the most important things that has happened to me occurred long before I was aware of it. As the story goes, I was three days old and Mom was singing “The Name Game” song to me: “Christine- Bo-Bean-Banana-Fanna-Fo-Feen.” By day four, I was given a new name — Christine-Bo-Bean, or just Bo-Bean to my mother. Now, I am Bo to her and close friends.
Why is this nickname so important to me? I once read a book with a passage about True Names which explains that when a person’s true name is spoken, she has a distinct aura (光环) around her. Although I have been Bo to my mother all my life, I recently discovered that my true name is not on my birth certificate; it’s the name that is as unique and memorable as I am.
People usually know me as Christine. They still see me as a quiet, bookish child. They don’t know who I am now. My most recent hopes, fears, goals, dreams and opinions escape their notice; it is easier to think of me as I was. In their minds, they have a box labeled “Christine” in which I fit neatly, and as Christine, I was content with the perfect packaging.
Those who call me Bo or Bo-Bean really know me. They remember who I was and realize I have changed. Bo is a tight squeeze in the old “Christine” boxes. The Bo I am is ever-changing, ever-growing and ever-learning.
When I was Christine, I was quiet, and easily scared. I feared groups, meeting new people and sharing my opinions. I was more comfortable with a book than my best friend. As Christine, I thought everyone was better than I was.
As Bo, I still love my books, but I want to discuss them. As Bo, my dream is to live where I can experience new things and meet new people. I dream about being alone on a stage lit by a single spotlight; I have that confidence now. I am equal to those I once saw as better than me.
A name shouldn’t make such a difference, but sometimes, when a person finds his or her True Name, they develop a new shine visible to friends, family and especially themselves.
I can’t always be Bo. Sometimes exposing myself is still scary and I feel too nervous; I want to hide in those old boxes. Mostly, however, I am ready for the world. So, just call me Bo.
1. When was the author given a nickname?| A．When she was three years old. |
| B．On the fourth day after she was born. |
| C．On the arrival of some close friends. |
| D．When mom first sang “ The Name Game”. |
| A．They think the author is active and crazy. |
| B．They care about the author’s most recent feelings. |
| C．They don’t realize the author has changed. |
| D．They don’t know the author has a new name. |
| A．She showed no interest in reading. |
| B．She took pleasure in finding new things. |
| C．She loved reading and sharing books with friends. |
| D．She lacked confidence and preferred to be alone. |
| A．Bo — the True Name |
| B．A Unique Name |
| C．Remember the Past |
| D．The Meaning of Nickname |
4 . Auckland University Online Education — What to Expect
Most Auckland University (AU) online programs are 100 percent online so that students do not come to the school campus. Instead, AU has designed a media-rich, easy-to-use learning environment through a Learning Management System (LMS).
• Discipline
With disciplined work habits, you are likely to succeed as an online student. It is up to you to log on to your course and meet your own deadlines.
• Time Management
In order to earn competitive grades, plan on spending a minimum of 20-25 hours a week on each course. AU courses operate on a seven-week schedule, with start dates in January, March, May, July, September and November. Students are able to complete two courses per semester by taking one seven-week course at a time.
• Professional Connections
Many of the AU faculty who teach online have connections to industry, so the online learning environment ensures access to diverse expertise and practice. It includes an extensive network of professionals in a variety of industries.
“I work as an IT manager. And right from the very beginning, every class I took was relevant to what I was doing at work. The wide range of courses gave me a strong foundation for my career development.”
— Jim Heilman, Computer Information Systems graduate
• Technology
It goes without saying that technology plays a vital role in online learning. You will need a high-speed Internet connection and basic computer skills. For specifics, please click here to visit our Technology page.
1. How long does it take to complete one course?| A．Seven weeks. | B．One semester. |
| C．Several months. | D．At least 20-25 hours. |
| A．To recognize an excellent graduate. |
| B．To set a good example to other learners. |
| C．To prove benefits of professional connections. |
| D．To show effective methods of online learning. |
| A．A course brochure. | B．A college website. |
| C．An academic magazine. | D．A local newspaper. |
5 . If you’ve spent any amount of time boating, fishing, or bird-watching at lakes and rivers, you have most likely seen fishes jumping out of the water. I have seen it many times. Certainly, fishes will exit water in desperate attempts to escape enemies. Dolphins take advantage of the behavior, forming a circle and catching the frightened fishes in midair. But just as we may run fast from fun or from fear, different emotions might motivate fishes to jump.
Mobula rays (蝠鲼) aren’t motivated by fear when they throw their impressive bodies — up to a seventeen-foot wingspan (the distance from the end of one wing to the end of the other) and a ton in weight — skyward in leap of up to ten feet. They do it in schools of hundreds. They usually land on their bellies, but sometimes they land on their backs. Some scientists think it might be a way of removing parasites (寄生虫). But I think that the rays are enjoying themselves.
In the clear waters of Florida’s Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, I watched several schools of fifty or more mullets(鲻鱼) moving in beautiful formation. Their well-built bodies were most evident when they leaped from the water. Most of the time I saw one or two leaps by a fish, but one made a series of seven. They usually land on their sides. Each jump was about a foot clear of the water and two to three feet in length.
Nobody knows for sure why the fish leaps. One idea is that they do it to take in oxygen. The idea is supported by the fact that mullets leap more when the water is lower in oxygen, but is challenged by the likelihood that jumping costs more energy than is gained by breathing air. It is hard to imagine they will feel any fresher when back in water.
Might these fishes also be leaping for fun? There is some new evidence. Gordon M. Burghardt recently published accounts of a dozen types of fishes leaping repeatedly, sometimes over floating objects — sticks, plants, sunning turtle — for no clear reason other than entertainment.
1. What can we say about the dolphins in Paragraph 1?| A．They have great escaping skills. | B．They are easily frightened. |
| C．They are very clever. | D．They love jumping. |
| A．Both do it in groups. | B．Both land on their bellies. |
| C．Both jump many feet out of water. | D．Both make leaps one after the other. |
| A．Anxious. | B．Indifferent. |
| C．Approving. | D．Questionable. |
| A．To remove parasites. | B．To amuse themselves. |
| C．To take in more oxygen. | D．To escape enemies. |
6 . Bedtime stories play an important role in your child's development. Not only do bedtime stories create an opportunity to increase the closeness between parents and their kids, but reading a little one at the same time night after night can help them form a healthy sleep routine. Child psychologists also point to the cognitive benefits for young people who are raised with bedtime stories, including the higher-than-average ability to read and write and an emotional connection to reading. Let’s look at some of the most popular bedtime storybooks that are available in print.
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Considered one of the greatest bedtime stories of all time, this classic has a lovely narrative and lively illustrations(插图) by Clement Hurd. Goodnight Moon celebrated the 70th anniversary of its original publication in 2017, a three-dimensional version is also available on YouTube.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
First published in 1969, this beloved tale features striking illustrations and finger-sized cutouts(剪成的图样) that allow children to physically participate in the story. If your kids enjoy this one, check out the other titles from author and illustrator Eric Carle; his 50-year career includes a bibliography of more than 70 titles.
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam Mcbratney and Anita Jeram
This heartwarming tale explores the bond between Big Nutbrown Hare and his son, Little Nutbrown Hare. The book—which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2015—was followed by four books.
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
The Cat in the Hat spins a tale about a naughty cat that entertains a pair of children for the afternoon. Roughly 10 million copies have been printed since its original publication in 1957, and the book has been translated into more than a dozen different languages.
1. What benefit do bedtime stories have?| A．Help children get a higher education. | B．Help kids form a good reading habit. |
| C．Help children sleep and get up early. | D．Help parents bond with their kids. |
| A．Margaret Wise Brown | B．Sam McBratney |
| C．Eric Carle | D．Dr. Seuss |
| A．The Cat in the Hat | B．Goodnight Moon |
| C．Guess How Much I Love You | D．The Very Hungry Caterpillar |
7 . Coral reefs (珊瑚礁) are an integral part of sea life and sustain it by providing shelter and habitat to various organisms. They also supply and recycle nutrients as well as enable a growing fish population, along with other species, for a healthy and diverse ecosystem. However, the rise in average water temperatures due to climate change has resulted in more frequent and longtime coral bleaching (白化现象) events that damage their health, causing fish and other sea species to abandon them.
In order to restore this delicate ecosystem, scientists from the UK and Australia conducted a study that involved using loudspeakers underwater near damaged coral reefs to make them sound healthy and attract fish, potentially kick-starting the natural recovery process of coral reefs and their dependent life forms. The location for this experiment was the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea, found alongside the east coast of Queensland, Australia. The site is noted to have the largest coral reef system in the world.
“Healthy coral reefs are remarkably noisy places-the crackle of snapping shrimp and the whoops and grunts of fish. Young fish concentrate on these sounds when they're looking for a place to settle,” said Steve Simpson, study co-author and a professor at the University of Exeter, UK.
By using loudspeakers to copy such sounds, parts of dead coral reefs were found to attract twice as many fish, compared to places where no sounds were played. “These returning fish, are crucial for coral reefs to function as healthy ecosystems. Boosting fish populations in this way could help to kick-start natural recovery processes, preventing the damage we're seeing on many coral reefs around the world,” said lead author, Tim Gordon.
1. What causes the phenomenon of coral bleaching?| A．Diverse species. | B．Noise pollution. |
| C．Fishing industry. | D．Climbing temperatures. |
| A．Removing damaged coral reefs. | B．Using loudspeakers to keep fish away. |
| C．Building new homes for sea species. | D．Playing certain sounds to appeal to fish. |
| A．To provide some findings of the study. | B．To show the progress of the experiment. |
| C．To explain reasons for the new approach. | D．To give another solution to the problem. |
| A．The attempts are in vain. | B．Natural recovery is impossible. |
| C．Initial success has been achieved. | D．The coral reefs have returned to normal. |
