1 . My 12-year-old daughter, Lauren, came home from school yesterday, proudly waving her grade book to me. She had been awarded A-1 in most subjects such as mathematics, language arts and science—a great achievement! Then she sadly pointed out that her perfect score was damaged by a B-1 in French and a C-1 in Physical Education.
I asked her what the scores meant. She said that the letter showed the achievement(成绩) and the number showed the effort. That moment I realized that the grades were misleading. I reached out my hands and gave her a big hug and told her in my mind she had a perfect score. It didn’t matter that her grade in French was a “B”—the “l” showed that she had tried her best. That is something to make any parent proud.
Everybody is different. Everybody has different potential(潜能). Not all of us will become linguists(语言学家) or sports stars. But without 100％effort no potential can be achieved. If I see a salesperson fail at sales, the first thing I want to examine is the effort being put in. If there is a problem with effort, the salesperson has no future. But if I see a salesperson isn’t successful with l00％effort, he or she is worth my effort in helping. Maybe a bit of training or some advice from a more successful person will help. I know that 100％effort, focus in the right direction, will always bring a result whether that is an “A” or a “C”. As long as you make 100％effort, you are great.
1. The author’s daughter was weak in _______.| A．maths. | B．science. | C．chemistry. | D．physical education. |
| A．High grades make parents proud. |
| B．Grades are important to children. |
| C．People hold a wrong idea of grades. |
| D．High grades show great achievements. |
| A．will give him training. |
| B．is willing to offer help. |
| C．will find an easy way for him. |
| D．may think he has no future. |
| A．trying his or her best. |
| B．achieving good grades. |
| C．having different potential. |
| D．giving other people useful advice. |
2 . Marian Bechtel sits at West Palm Beach’s Bar Louie counter by herself, quietly reading her e-book as she waits for her salad. What is she reading? None of your business! Lunch is Bechtel’s “me” time. And like more Americans, she’s not alone.
A new report found 46 percent of meals are eaten alone in America. More than half(53 percent) have breakfast alone and nearly half(46 percent) have lunch by themselves. Only at dinnertime are we eating together anymore, 74 percent, according to statistics from the report.
“I prefer to go out and be out. Alone, but together, you know?” Bechtel said, looking up from her book. Bechtel, who works in downtown West Palm Beach, has lunch with coworkers sometimes, but like many of us, too often works through lunch at her desk. A lunchtime escape allows her to keep a boss from tapping her on the shoulder. She returns to work feeling energized. “Today, I just wanted some time to myself,” she said.
Just two seats over, Andrew Mazoleny, a local videographer, is finishing his lunch at the bar. He likes that he can sit and check his phone in peace or chat up the barkeeper with whom he’s on a first-name basis if he wants to have a little interaction(交流). “I reflect on how my day’s gone and think about the rest of the week,” he said. “It’s a chance for self-reflection. You return to work recharged and with a plan.”
That freedom to choose is one reason more people like to eat alone. There was a time when people may have felt awkward about asking for a table for one, but those days are over. Now, we have our smartphones to keep us company at the table. “It doesn’t feel as alone as it may have before all the advances in technology,” said Laurie Demeritt, whose company provided the statistics for the report.
1. What are the statistics in paragraph 2 about?| A．Food variety. | B．Eating habits. |
| C．Table manners. | D．Restaurant service. |
| A．He makes videos for the bar. | B．He’s fond of the food at the bar. |
| C．He interviews customers at the bar. | D．He’s familiar with the barkeeper. |
| A．The trend of having meals alone. | B．The importance of self-reflection. |
| C．The stress from working overtime. | D．The advantage of wireless technology. |
3 . Imagine driving down a country road past a huge, open field where goats are eating grass. Suddenly a truck breaks down and makes a loud noise. Just as suddenly, the goats fall to the ground.
A few moments pass. The goats are back on their feet. What just happened? Well, the goats were very frightened and dropped to the ground, but not all goats act like this. There is only one kind of goat that behaves this way when it is surprised. It is called a Tennessee Fainting Goat.
In the 1800s, a farmer arrived in Marshall County, Tennessee, with a few goats and a cow. People say he came from Nova Scotia, Canada. Since the man did not talk much, no one knew where he got these goats. When he left, he took the cow, but he sold the goats.
The behavior of one of the goats was different from most others. Being frightened caused the goat’s body to go stiff and sometimes fall over. No one had seen goats do this before. They began to call this new goat a Tennessee Fainting Goat.
This special kind of goat does not actually faint. They just look like they do. The fainting goats stay awake. The baby goats, however, usually do fall over, but the good thing is that they do not have far to fall. Some older ones learn to stand near something like a fence or a tree, just in case they are frightened.
Now there are about three thousand fainting goats in the United States. People enjoy raising them, because goats of this kind are gentle, smart, and playful. They just get scared stiff now and then. The moment of stiffness only lasts about ten or fifteen seconds. Then the goats walk and act like any other goat.
1. What happens to the goats that fall to the ground a few moments later?| A．They fall asleep. | B．They eat much more. |
| C．They stand up again. | D．They are taken away by the truck. |
| A．Green fields. | B．A light wind. | C．Loud thunder. | D．Pleasant smells. |
| A．No one likes to raise them. | B．Not all of them really fall over. |
| C．Their stiffness lasts a long time. | D．Not all of them stay awake when they faint. |
| A．likes eating outside | B．sleeps during the day |
| C．comes from Canada | D．acts in a strange way |
4 . The Internet plays a big part in human life. We use it for work and pleasure. We use it to learn a new language. We find advice on it. We use it to connect with family and friends. We use it to stay in touch with events we care about. The list goes on and on.
Well, that train has left the station. This expression means there is no going back to an Internet-free life. But can using the Internet too much be bad for our health? It might be, researchers say. A new study finds that heavy Internet use may be connected to high blood pressure in an unlikely group: teenagers.
High blood pressure makes your heart and blood vessels work too hard. Over time, this extra pressure increases your risk of a heart attack. High blood pressure can also cause heart and kidney disease. It is also closely linked to a brain disease.
The Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan did the study. 335 young people, from 14 to 17 years old , took part in it. 134 of the teens were described as “heavy Internet users.” And researchers found that out of these 134 teens,26 had high blood pressure. The researchers say the study is the first to connect heavy web use with high blood pressure. Other research has connected heavy Internet use with anxiety, depression and obesity.
The lead researcher is Andrea Cassidy Bushrow. She said, “Using the Internet is part of our daily life, but it shouldn’t ruin us.” Ms. Cassidy Bushrow adds that it is important for teens to take regular breaks from their computers or smartphones and do some kind of physical activity. She also suggests that parents limit their children’s use of the Internet to two hours a day, five days a week.
1. The expression “that train has left the station” in Para. 2 is used to show________.| A．the Internet develops rapidly | B．no one can escape from the Internet |
| C．the Internet can provide whatever we want | D．there is no going back to an Internet free life |
| A．Causes of high blood pressure. | B．The harm of high blood pressure. |
| C．The disadvantages of Internet use. | D．Ways to prevent high blood pressure. |
| A．teenagers shouldn’t use the Internet |
| B．the Internet will ruin human life in the future |
| C．smartphones are more harmful than computers |
| D．regular breaks are necessary when using the Internet |
| A．Heavy Internet users are mostly teenagers | B．How to prevent teenagers from the Internet |
| C．Too much Internet use may be bad for teenagers | D．Every coin has two sides—so does the Internet |
5 . What should I eat for breakfast? Who should I go out with on weekends? What should I do if I miss the bus to school? What colleges should I apply for? Again and again Chinese kids ask these questions to their teachers and parents. They can't make their own choices.
Kids in America would be very surprised to hear how much Chinese children depend on adults.When they are ten years old, kids decide what clothes they want to wear and buy.By twelve they know what classes to take for middle school.Thirteen years old is the beginning of being what Americans call a “teenager”.Now the child makes almost all his/her decisions — what to do after school;who are his/her friends, sometimes even when to come home at night. Finally at sixteen the kid usually gets a car from his/her parents. Now he or she can come and go when he/she likes.The only rule is when they come home at night.
Why should kids be independent? Think about it. After high school most of us will be by ourselves. Will our parents be able to tell us what to eat for breakfast in college? Can our teachers decide what we should do at work?
Making our own choices can be quite hard and scary. But we can start with making small choices,and then slowly make bigger and more important choices. Before we know it we will become independent, confident and able to make our own decisions! And we will have a lot more fun!
1. The first paragraph tries to tell the readers ________.| A．Chinese kids don't know what to do |
| B．Chinese kids always have many questions |
| C．Chinese kids believe in their teachers and parents |
| D．Chinese kids depend on adults very much |
| A．Ten. | B．Eleven. |
| C．Twelve. | D．Thirteen. |
| A．Generally, American kids are more independent than their Chinese fellows. |
| B．Chinese kids will more easily adapt (适应) themselves to society. |
| C．American parents don't care for their children. |
| D．A seventeen American young can do what he likes. |
| A．dependence on adults is shameful in China |
| B．independence from adults is worth encouraging |
| C．kids have no ability to make a real choice |
| D．making decisions is rather easy |
6 . The structure of DNA plays an important role in medicine and biology. But you may not know that its founder is a female scientist and goes through a lot on her way to make scientific research. Rosalind Franklin was born in London, England on July 25, 1920. On April 16, 1958, at age 38, she died from cancer. Franklin was responsible for much of the research and discovery work that led to the understanding of the structure of DNA.
Franklin was interested in science and attended one of the few girls' schools in London that taught physics and chemistry. When she was 15, she decided to become a scientist. Her father was decidedly against higher education for women and wanted her to be a social worker. Franklin's aunt decided to support her and she agreed to pay for her full schooling. Within weeks, Franklin's aunt got her mother to support her going to college also. Months later, Franklin's aunt and mother got her father to agree with it. Franklin was very excited that she was going to college and did a good job in her study.
After her graduation from college, Franklin started her research on DNA. However, there were so many quarrels in her life because Franklin and her research partner did not get along. Franklin and her partner's arguments set them back on the study of DNA quite a bit. At the time they were working against another pair to find the story of DNA. Because of Franklin and her partner's fights, another pair found the structure of DNA first and won the Nobel Prize for it four years after Franklin died. Many scientists felt sorry for her early death and thought that the winners had stolen her research about DNA.
1. We can learn from the text that Franklin ________.| A．died in her early thirties | B．was a really lucky scientist |
| C．didn't get along with her father | D．achieved a lot in the study of DNA |
| A．Franklin's father agreed to pay for her college education |
| B．Franklin's aunt loved her than others |
| C．it was not easy for Franklin to go to college |
| D．it has been Franklin's dream to be a scientist since she was a child |
| A．Franklin's scientific research was not easy |
| B．Franklin first found the structure of DNA |
| C．Franklin's partner had no interest in DNA |
| D．Franklin had enjoyed a peaceful life |
| A．How DNA Was Found? | B．DNA and Good Education |
| C．The Life of a Woman Scientist | D．Should Girls Study or Not? |
7 . At Aizo Chuo Hospital in Japan, employees greet newcomers, guide patients to and from the surgery area, and print out maps of the hospital for confused visitors. They don’t take lunch breaks or even get paid. Why? They’re robots!
Robots have long worked in factories, helping to build cars and electronic appliances. But today’s robots don’t just do the jobs of people－they actually look and act a lot like people.
Kansei, a robot from Japan, has a plastic face covering 19 movable parts. The robot can make 36 facial expressions in response to different words. Kansei shakes in fear at the word “war” and smiles when it hears the word “dinner”.
Researchers in Europe are going even further with iCub, a “baby” robot. They are teaching it to speak and hold conversations.
The ability to interact is crucial for robots that will one day work closely with humans, says robotics professor ChrisAtkeson. “This will require robots to understand what you say and how you are feeling and respond with appropriate emotions,” he told WR News.
Japanese scientist Minoru Asada agrees. He is building a robot called CB2 that acts like a real baby. “Right now, it only goes, ̒Ah, ah. ̓ But as we develop its learning function, it will start saying more complex sentences and moving on its own,” Asada says. “Next-generation robots need to be able to learn and develop by themselves.”
Intelligent robot will become more important in the future, as populations age and the number of human workers declines in many countries. “We’re going to have many more old people and not enough young people to care for them,” says robot researcher Matthew Mason. “Technology can help the old people live at home longer, instead of going to nursing homes.”
1. According to the passage, what jobs have robots already performed?| A．Giving advice, answering customer questions and planning events. |
| B．Producing factory goods, building cars and greeting customers. |
| C．Greeting customers, producing factory goods and performing surgery. |
| D．Building cars, driving passengers and providing directions. |
| A．To explain how a robot works. |
| B．To define what a robot is. |
| C．To describe the functions of modern robots. |
| D．To predict the future uses of robots. |
| A．Use languages to warn nearby humans. |
| B．Back up its memory files. |
| C．Activate an automatic fire alarm. |
| D．Produce a worried look on his face. |
| A．the ability to learn independently |
| B．the ability to understand human commands |
| C．the capacity to interact with humans |
| D．the willingness to work together |
8 . Day Trip: Van Gogh Alive at The Dali Museum
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to step inside an artistic masterpiece, Van Gogh Alive at The Dali in St. Pete is a must-do experience. The Dali is the first museum in North America to host this hilly immersive (浸入式) art experience.
Read on for all the details, on display through June 21, 2021.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Book your timed ticket and your timed entry at thedali.org in advance. This includes Dali members, out of concern for social distance. Face mask wearing is required.
NEW HOURS AT THE DALI
Open 10:00 a. m. — 6:00 p. m. daily and until 8:00 p. m. on Thursdays and Fridays. Admission is half off on Thursday nights.
DOWNLOAD THE APP
The Dali has a fantastic app worth downloading, which takes you on a deeper dive about the art you’ll experience and more about the artist himself. You’ll also get the augmented reality (AR) experience with Dali’s works, too.
THE EXHIBIT
The exhibit has three areas — there’s a smaller open room, a larger open gallery, and lying in between is a bedroom sized room. You are surrounded by enormous screens on the wall and even a few on the floor. High-definition projections (高清投影) of his paintings like ‘Sunflowers’ and ‘starry Night’. sketches, and even quotes pulled from the numerous letters he wrote during his lifetime fill the giant screens on the walls and floor, making you feel as if you’ve stepped inside Van Gogh’s masterpieces. In a way, you have.
It’s not just the images, but the sound that makes this a multi - sensory experience. The classical music soundtrack of Van Gogh Alive helps bring the works to life by tugging at your heartstrings, connecting you to the misterpieces in a way you’ve probably never felt before.
1. Who is the text intended for?| A．Van Gogh Art lovers. | B．Fans of Dali Art. |
| C．Museum working staff. | D．Photography enthusiasts. |
| A．Download the Dali app. | B．Booked timed tickets online. |
| C．Wear face masks and gloves. | D．Learn about the artist in advance. |
| A．To advertise more coming exhibits. |
| B．To introduce a unique experience. |
| C．To tell about the life of an artistic genius. |
| D．To present details of some masterpiece. |
9 . Hi, Mom is a hit in China. Since its release in early February the movie has earned more than 5 billion yuan at the box office. It is currently the second-highest-grossing film ever released in the country, and may yet overtake Wolf Worrior 2, an action film from 2017.
Written and directed by Jia Ling, the film is adapted from her comedy routine from 2016 which explored her relationship with her mother, who died in an accident when Ms. Jia was 19. At a time when many people have been separated from their families, the themes of grief and filial piety (孝道) in Hi, Mom bring agreement.
The film’s impressive box office income is also a reminder of the health of the industry in China compared with Hollywood. In the West cinemas remain closed due to lockdown or operate at limited capacity; in China, where many restrictions have been lifted, between 50% and 75% of seats are available to book. During the Spring Festival, Chinese cinemas made an estimated $1.5 billion in ticket sales – 71% of takings at the American box office in all of 2020.
With cinemas shut, film-sales agent stopped bringing Hollywood movies to market. That has given locally made films a chance to excel. Since 2013, domestic films have taken around 60% of total box office earnings. In 2021, that number may get closer to 100%.
1. What can be inferred from the first paragraph about Hi, Mom?| A．It will be a success. |
| B．Wolf Worrior 2 will be released after it. |
| C．It is better than Wolf Worrior 2. |
| D．It may be the first-highest-grossing film in China. |
| A．The film industry in China is developing better than that in Hollywood. |
| B．The film is based on a real story. |
| C．You can’t go to cinema because there are many restrictions. |
| D．Many people can’t see their families often nowadays. |
| A．Negative | B．Positive | C．Indifferent | D．Skeptical |
| A．Local Movies Arise. |
| B．China Film Industry. |
| C．Comedy Time. |
| D．Hi, Mom-China’s Latest Hit. |
10 . The Best Silk Road Tour
Silk Road, a business and trade route, originates from the ancient China and connects with the Asian, African and European countries. Our well-designed Silk Road tour package will never let you down.
Departure City: Shanghai
Guide&Driver: English-speaking guide, experienced driver with an air-conditioned vehicle
Meals:12 western buffet breakfasts, 6 lunches with some being a la carte (点菜)style
Tour Highlights:
●Must-see sights in China-Terracotta Warriors, Famen Temple,Dunhuang Mogao Caves, Maiji Caves, Jiayuguan Pass and Mutianyu Great Wall
●Trace back to the Silk Road of 2,000 years ago& learn about the culture and history
●Marvel at the art treasure—Mogao Caves&enjoy an exciting camel riding in the Gobi Desert
We Guarantee 100% No Shopping Stops!
Tour Prices
| Tour Prices with Luxury Hotels | ||
| 2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers | 6-9travelers |
| $3749 | $3299 | $2939 |
| Tour Prices with Standard Hotels | ||
| 2-3 travelers | 4-5 travelers | 6-9travelers |
| $3479 | $3029 | $2669 |
●Prices are per person in US Dollars.
●Any parts of the tour length, activities or hotels can be tailored to your individual interests.
Are you ready to follow the footsteps of the ancients to explore this mysterious land now?
1. What will people do on the tour?| A．Appreciate the ancient heritage. |
| B．Ride on camels all the way. |
| C．Stay a few nights in caves. |
| D．Do a lot of shopping. |
| A．A Beijing businessman good at golf. |
| B．A Japanese model loving fashion. |
| C．A Yunnan biologist interested in birds. |
| D．An American student learning history. |
| A．$10437 | B．$3749 | C．$3299 | D．$11247 |
