1 . Researchers from the University of Bath have developed motion capture technology that enables you to digitize（数字化）your dog with only one camera. The software could be used for a wide range of purposes, from helping vets diagnose lameness（跛）and monitoring recovery of their dog patients, to behavior supervision.

The University of Bath's motion capture research centre digitised the movement of 14 different breeds of dogs. Wearing special doggie motion capture suits with markers, the dogs were filmed under the supervision of scientists doing a range of movements. They used these data to create a computer model that can accurately predict and copy the poses of dogs when they re filmed without wearing the motion capture suits. This model allows 3D digital information for new dogs-their shape and movement-to be captured without markers and expensive equipment, but using a single RGBD camera instead.

The researcher Kearney said, “This is the first time RGBD images have been used to track the motion of dogs using a single camera, which is much more affordable than traditional motion capture systems that require multiple cameras. This technology allows us to study the movement of animals, which is useful for applications such as detecting lameness in a dog and measuring its recovery over time.”

The team has also started testing their method on digital images of other four-legged animals including horses, cats, lions and gorillas, with some promising results. They aim in the future to extend their animal dataset to make the results more accurate；they will also be making the dataset available for non-commercial use by others. “Our research is a step towards building accurate 3D models of animal motion along with technologies that allow us to very easily measure their movement.” said Kearney.

1. What is special about the new software mentioned in Para 1?

A．It equips your dog with a motion capture suit.

B．It can be useful for pets to behave themselves.

C．It helps you monitor dogs using only one camera.

D．It offers a wide range of entertainment applications.

2. What is necessary to make sure a single RGBD camera works?

A．A special computer model must be set up in advance.

B．The dogs must wear motion capture suits without markers.

C．The dogs must be in the supervision of multiple cameras.

D．3D digital information must be sent into the cameras.

3. What is the next step of the new technology according to Kearney?

A．To make the dataset available for more profits.

B．To make more accurate models of animal diseases.

C．To extend the animal dataset to improve its accuracy.

D．To test RGBD cameras on other four-legged animals.

4. What's the main purpose of the passage?

A．To encourage a new method of safe dog-walking.

B．To introduce a new motion capture technology.

C．To explain the applications of diagnosing dogs' diseases.

D．To prove the efcts of the technology on different animals.

2 . Doug Falter, an American photographer, returned home, teary-eyed and exhausted. He pouted online that evening, "I lost my baby." That "baby" referred to a surfboard that had been custom-made for him. Hours earlier, a big wave had separated Falter from this prized possession.

Months passed with no sign of the surfboard. Falter saved money to buy a new surfboard for $ 1,500. But Falter never completely forgot the surfboard, which - six months later and more than 5,000 miles away from where it disappeared-floated to the southern Philippines.The local fisherman who found it didn't have much use of his unusual catch of the day, so he sold the board for s 40 to Giovanne Branzuela, an elementary school teacher. Branzuela hoped to learn to surf and one day share the skill with his students,who regularly accompany him on beach clean-ups.

The once-blue board had faded to a pale straw color during its journey, but its distinctive markings were still there: two elephants, one at either end. Underneath the elephants were the words "Doug Falter Surfboard".

Branzuela couldn't believe it on realizing how far the surfboard had traveled. He reached Falter online and sent him a photo of the surfboard. Falter was shocked to learn that his "baby"had drifted(漂流) across the world's largest ocean and survived. He was overjoyed.

But the story was far from over. Falter wanted to thank Branzuela with some surfing supplies for his kind act, but the teacher asked for school supplies instead, such as backpacks for his students and materials to help them learn English.

Falter said it made him raise money for the kids. So far, he has collected $ 2,500,which he has used to buy and ship maps, puzzles, classroom posters, textbooks, and workbooks.

1. What happened to Doug Falter that afternoon?

A．His baby was lost on the beach.	B．The sea carried away his surfboard.
C．He took excellent photos of the surf.	D．His custom-made camera was damaged.

2. Why did Giovanne Branzuela buy the surlboard?

A．He liked the pale straw color of it.

B．He found it belonged to Doug Falter.

C．He found the fisherman charged low for it.

D．He wanted to learn a new skill to teach his students.

3. What can we infer about the surfboard?

A．Branzuela kept it as a prized possession.

B．Branzuela's students learned surfing with it.

C．It was returned to its owner after a long journey.

D．Falter sold it to help Philippine children.

4. Which of the following can best describe Giovanne Branzuela?

A．Selfless.	B．Merciful.
C．Generous.	D．Knowledgeable.

3 . After Scott Kelly spent a year in space, his genetic expression changed, according to a NASA study that compared the bodily changes between the astronaut and his identical twin, who stayed on Earth while Kelly was aboard the International Space Station. About 7 percent of Kelly’s gene activity has yet to “return to normal” — almost two years after his yearlong spaceflight mission came to an end. Kelly has since retired from NASA.

The Twins Study，as it’s been called，looked at what happened to Kelly — both physiologically and psychologically :— before，during and after his trip in space，and then compared that data to Kelly’s twin brother，Mark Kelly，also a retired NASA astronaut.

Unlike his brother who spent months at a time in space，Mark’s missions were on the shorter side. His last — and longest — mission，which took place in 2011，lasted 15 days.

“By measuring large numbers of the brother’s metabolites，cytokines (代谢物、细胞活素）and proteins，researchers learned that spaceflight is associated with oxygen deprivation (匮乏）stress， increased inflammation (炎症），and nutrient changes that affect gene expression，” NASA said.

Although most of the biological changes Kelly experienced in space disappeared in the hours and days (and in some cases? weeks) after his return to Earthy, NASA said some changes appear to have continued. While 93 percent of his genetic expression has returned to normal, several hundred “space genes” still have changed activity levels，the data suggests， which, NASA said, could indicate “longer-term changes” in genetic expression caused by the stresses of spaceflight.

NASA said the research could provide important knowledge of the effects of long-term spaceflight on the human body, and that it will influence its planning for a mission to Mars, which would see astronauts spending some three years in space.

Reacting to the news of the study results, Kelly expressed amazement at his body’s changes， and also used the opportunity to make fun of his brother. “This could be good news,” he joked on Twitter. “I no longer have to call Mark my identical twin brother anymore.”

1. What can be learnt about Mark Kelly?

A．He’s still working for NASA.

B．He has only been to space once.

C．He hasn’t gone on a spaceflight mission yet.

D．He never stayed in space for a whole month.

2. What does NASA’s research show about genetic expression changes?

A．They’re dangerous to astronauts.

B．Most of them won’t last very long.

C．They’re mainly caused by psychological stress.

D．Some can occur during short-term spaceflight.

3. What can we know about the Twins Study?

A．It involved many twin participants.

B．It ended soon after Scott Kelly’s last spaceflight.

C．It only studied Scott Kelly’s physical changes.

D．It will be valuable to NASA’s Mars mission.

4. What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A．Mark Kelly will lose his twin brother soon.

B．Scott Kelly always looks on the bright side.

C．Scott Kelly doesn’t like his twin brother.

D．Scott Kelly seems to have a sense of humor.

5 . Think of the many different ways you enjoy fish or other seafood: steaming fish ball soup, grilled salmon, boiled shrimp and more. Now think about not having this delicious food because of no more fish and seafood. You would likely miss them a lot, and not just you. Nearly half of the world’s population relies on seafood as a major source of protein.

Harvesting fish and other sea life isn’t bad for the ocean, but harvesting it faster than it can recover is. This is called overfishing, and the number of overfished wild stocks has tripled in the past 50 years. Overfishing affects not only a food source but many economies. Many businesses and jobs depend on fishing for their livelihoods. When fish stocks shrink, people lose their means of supporting themselves and their families. Worldwide, fishing is US $362 billion business. Over 4 million fishing boats sail the waters of the world. Many boats are becoming increasingly efficient, which increases overfishing.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, one third of the world’s fisheries are being pushed beyond their natural limits. Overfishing goes hand in hand with bycatch (误捕的鱼). This means unwanted sea life is captured along with the desired catch and is thrown away. Thus, billions of fish along with seabirds, sea turtles and millions of sharks are lost.

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) has been working with scientists, fisheries and seafood producers for over 20 years. They have developed standards promoting sustainable fishing. When fisheries meet MSC’s standards, the oceans and those who make a living from them are protected. Around 15 percent of wild-capture fisheries are now MSC certified. And Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPS) in many countries are working to increase that percentage.

What can you do? Look for MSC’s blue fish label, which appears on over 30,000 products and menus in almost 100 countries. Buying a product with this label means you’re supporting a fishery that is contributing to healthier oceans.

1. Which of the following opinions will the author favor?

A．We need to develop more fish recipes.

B．Many people consider seafood as nutritious.

C．You can never eat fish and other seafood too much.

D．It’s great to treat your friends to tasty seafood.

2. What can be inferred from paragraph 2?

A．Many people live by fishing.

B．Overfishing isn’t always bad for the ocean.

C．Fishing economies are picking up soon.

D．Many boats have no fish to catch.

3. What measure has been taken concerning overfishing?

A．Bycatch is thrown back.

B．More investment is put in fisheries.

C．All the countries are called on to conserve the ocean.

D．Some requirements for green fishing are made.

4. What's the author’s suggestion for readers?

A．Buying the seafood with MSC’s certification.

B．Looking for MSC’s blue fish label worldwide.

C．Making contributions to fishing in eco-friendly environment.

D．Predicting about the oceans and the fish for years to come.

6 . Everyone can smile when they are on cloud nine. Everyone can cry when the weather is blue. But it takes a strong person to smile when he or she has every reason to cry!

Kiley, from Maryland, is an author, fashion model, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. Since 3 years old, her life has proven to be a journey of surgeries. She was forced to have two permanent ostomies (造口术), causing her to have ostomy bags for the rest of her life.

Carrying not one, but two ostomy bags is not something you would want anyone to go through especially your own child. As a single father, Jay is Kiley's biggest advocate. When Kiley was 10 years old, she gave a special Father's Day gift to her father to express her gratitude, which was to dance with him at her talent show at school. In the video, the little girl was smiling from ear to ear. They danced along the song, Overcomer of American Idol's Mandisa. "You're an overcomer. Stay in the fight till the final round." True to the lyrics, Kiley is a strong and inspiring overcomer.

At only fifteen, Kiley set up Enhancing Children's Lives Organization, a foundation dedicated to helping low-income children, providing them with backpacks filled with school supplies, shoes clothing and even food.

She has been a fashion model for over 7 years, yes with two ostomy bags. She is helping cancer survivors and inspiring ostomy patients. Looking at the outer appearance, one would not tell she lives with these adversities. She has proven that not even the biggest problem in the world could wipe away the smile from her face!

Kiley wrote in one of her books, "I used to say, ‘Why me? Why cancer? Why ostomy bags?’ Now I say, ‘Why not me?’ Just because you have some difficulties in life doesn't mean you can't make it. We have the ability to make a difference, to change lives."

1. Why did Kiley decide to dance with her father at school?

A．To show off her talent.

B．To win her dad's support.

C．To promote Father's Day.

D．To show thanks to her dad.

2. What can children get from Enhancing Children's Lives Organization?

A．Medical care.

B．Full scholarship.

C．School necessities.

D．Better education

3. Which words can best describe Kiley?

A．Optimistic and inspiring.

B．Strong-willed and realistic.

C．Creative and independent.

D．Confident and ambitious.

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

A．Health is money.

B．Smile has power.

C．Hard work pays off.

D．Cherish the time.

7 . Choosing the right hiking equipment will make your walk safer and more comfortable. Getting it right is easy with our pick of the best, don’t hesitate to grab them.

SMART SOCKS

Smartwool Women’s PhD Outdoor Light Print Crew Walking Socks (£16.09) Built for mile after mile of trail, these socks are so light and seamless you’ll barely notice you’re wearing them.

Darn Tough Kelso Micro Crew Light Cushion (£20) Keep you cool while going the distance in these wool socks. They’re cushioned and silky soft.

1000 Mile Fusion Walking Sock (£15.99, twin pack) Need extra comfort? The Fusion Walking Sock has a blister-free guarantee thanks to clever double-layer technology and padded zones.

LIGHTWEIGHT JACKETS

Smartwool Merino Smart Ultra Light Hoodie (£114.99) This windproof layer packs away into its pocket.

Berghaus Women’s Skerray Smock (£70) Stay warm if the wind gets up in this super-light, water-repellent smock jacket with a fitting hood. It packs away into the small pocket.

Finisterre Mistral Waterproof Jacket (£185) Light yet fully waterproof, this cool high- quality jacket has zipped pockets and an adjustable foldaway hood.

SUMMER SHORTS

Jack Wolfskin Overland Zip Away (£115) Always chilly when you set out but boiling by the time you’re climbing that hill? With these clever pants, you get a pair of soft-shell trousers and a pair of shorts in one.

1. What can we know from the passage?

A．If you want to protect your feet, you’d better choose Crew Walking Socks.

B．Crew Light Cushion is a kind of sock special in material to keep you cool.

C．Both the Light Hoodie and Skerray Smock can keep out the wind.

D．All the equipment recommended can be folded and put in a pocket.

2. If you want to go hiking in summer, which one will be the best choice?

A．Crew Walking Socks & Waterproof Jacket

B．Light Hoodie & Fusion Walking Socks

C．Overland Zip Away & Crew Light Cushion

D．Fusion Walking socks & Skerray Smock

3. In which column can you find the passage?

A．New Technology.	B．Life Style.
C．Fashion Costume.	D．Advertisement.

8 . More than a fifth of the world’s plant species face the threat of extinction, a trend with potentially disaster effects for life on Earth, according to research released on Wednesday. But a separate study warned that extinction of mammals had been estimated too highly and suggested some mammal species thought to have been wiped out may yet be rediscovered.

Stephen Hopper said the report on plant loss was the most accurate mapping yet of the threat to the planet’s estimated 380, 000 plant species. This study confirms what we already suspected, that plants are under threat and the main cause is human-caused habitat loss, Hopper said. The study, carried out by Kew with the Natural History Museum in London and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), set a “major baseline” for future conservation efforts, he said.

“We cannot sit back and watch plant species disappear—plants are the basis of all life on Earth, providing clean air, water, food and fuel. All animal and bird life depends on them, and so do we”, Hopper added, The study comes ahead of a meeting in Nagoya, Japan, from October 18 to 29, where members of the UN’s Biodiversity Convention will set new targets to save endangered wildlife.

Craig Hilton of the IUCN said he hoped the Nagoya meeting would set the goal of preventing the extinction of any known threatened species by 2020. “We want to make sure that plants will not be forgotten”, he said. In their study, researchers assessed almost 4, 000 species, of which 22 percent were classed as threatened, especially in tropical rain forest. Plants were more threatened than birds, as threatened as mammals and less threatened than amphibians (两栖动物)or coral (珊瑚), it said.

1. The underlined part “been wiped out” in the first paragraph can be replaced by ________ .

A．turned out

B．broken out

C．died out

D．run out

2. According to Hopper, the plants are under threat________.

A．because too many animals eat them as food

B．owing to their competition against each other

C．mostly because humans destroy their living areas

D．for the growing air and water pollution

3. What do scientists suggest for plants?

A．Sitting back and watching them disappear.

B．Making them supply more food to humans.

C．Preventing humans from using plant products.

D．Trying to protect them from dying out.

4. Which of the following are least likely to be endangered?

A．Birds

B．Plants

C．Amphibians

D．Coral

9 . The Indian government declared an “emergency situation” in New Delhi on Sunday as air pollution hit dangerous new highs and people had the selfies(自拍) to prove it.

Officials announced a series of measures to fight against smog in the capital city, including halting construction projects, closing a coal-fired power factory for 10 days and washing the dusty roads. The citizens，meanwhile，took “smog selfies” as they walked through dirty air which could taste and smell. Some selfie photographers joined hundreds of protesters in downtown New Delhi to demand that the government deal with the deadly smog.

New Delhi, already one of the world’s dirtiest cities, is experiencing its worst smog in nearly two decades. The city saw levels of PM2.5 of more than 900 micrograms per cubic meter on Saturday. That’s more than 90 times the level that the World Health Organization considers safe and is 15 times higher than the Indian government’s standards.

Particulate(微粒的) matter comes from vehicles, coal factories, burning trash piles, dust and other sources. New Delhi’s severe pollution was initially blamed on the widespread bursting of firecrackers during the festival Diwali. But images published by NASA last week suggested that crop burning in the neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana could be the reason for the increasing levels of PM2.5. New Delhi’s chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, said that farmers in those states begin burning straw at the start of every winter to clear their plants for planting wheat.

The pollution can lead to lung cancer, heart disease and related illnesses, particularly in growing children. Kejriwal said people should avoid going outdoors until the pollution levels drop and should work at home as much as possible. Of course, they should put down the selfie sticks, too.

1. What does the underlined word “halting” in Paragraph 2 meap?

A．Stopping.

B．Encouraging.

C．Protecting.

D．Changing.

2. What can we know from the text?

A．The poor condition in New Delhi has led to a strike.

B．New Delhi is one of the most polluted cities in the world.

C．A lot of people especially children died of smog in New Delhi.

D．Kejriwal suggested that people stop working to deal with smog.

3. What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?

A．Images of people living in New Delhi.

B．Levels of PM2.5 in most cities of India.

C．Sources of particulate matter in New Delhi.

D．Measures taken by the New Delhi government.

4. What’s Kejriwal’s attitude towards smog sefies?

A．Doubtful.

B．Supportive.

C．Uncaring.

D．Opposed.

10 . In a world first, scientists have cloned a rare, endangered Przewalski's horse named Kurt at San Diego zoo in the US. Little Kurt looks like any other baby horse as he plays happily in his pen(围栏).

He isn't afraid to kick or head butt anyone who gets in his way and when he's hungry, dashes over to his mother for milk.

Scientists have cloned nearly two dozen kinds of mammals. The first was Dolly the sheep in the UK in 1996. Other species include dogs, cats, pigs, cows and polo ponies and, in China in 2018, a monkey.

The zoo sees Kurt's birth as a milestone in efforts to restore the population of the horse also known as the Asiatic Wild Horse or Mongolian Wild Horse. The small animals ( they stand only about 1.2m to 1.5m tall) are believed extinct in the wild and number only about 2,000 in zoos and wildlife habitats. Their limited gene pool puts them at a reproductive disadvantage.

“This horse is expected to be one of the most genetically important individuals of his species,” Bob Wiese, chief life sciences officer at San Diego Zoo Global, which operates the zoo, said in a statement. “We are hopeful that he will bring back genetic variation important for the future of the Przewalski's horse population. ”

Although only 2 months old Kurt's birth was made possible in 1980 when cells were taken from a 5-year-old male horse and put in deep freeze at San Diego's Frozen Zoo facility. His father died in 1998.

Kurt was named for Kurt Benirschke, who played a key role in founding the Frozen Zoo.

“A central belief of the Frozen Zoo, when it was established by Dr Benirschke, was that it would be used for purposes not possible at the time. ” said Oliver Ryder, director of genetics at San Diego Zoo Global.

Kurt was born at a veterinary(兽医的) facility in Texas,US,where he'll continue to live with his mother for most likely another year. Eventually he'll become part of the zoo's Przewalski's horse population, where it's hoped someday he'll become a father himself.

1. According to the passage, many mammals have been cloned except______.

A．Przewalski's horses

B．polar bears

C．monkeys

D．sheep

2. Why does the zoo see Kurt's birth as a milestone?

A．Because it will be the first one to live in the wild.

B．Because it is the only cloned one close to extinction.

C．Because it's expected to become the lead horse.

D．Because it may help recover the genetic variation.

3. What can we learn about Kurt from the text?

A．He behaved differently from others when he was young.

B．He doesn't have a father as a cloned one in the laboratory.

C．The cells for cloning have been preserved for over 40 years.

D．Its name comes from the discoverer of the Przewalski's horse.

4. What was the Frozen Zoo set up for?

A．Protecting endangered animals that may be hard to save for the moment.

B．Providing necessary facilities to help people clone endangered animals.

C．Encouraging people to insist on their purposes that may hard to achieve.

D．Forming a central belief that it would be useful someday in the near future.