1 . Across the globe, we've developed a coffee addiction, and we've become addicted to single-use cups: 600 billion disposable cups are produced and sold annually. But there's a growing push to cut this down.
Here's the problem with disposable coffee cups: The thin, waxy, plastic coating inside makes it tricky to recycle or compost them. So, they most go into a landfill （垃圾填埋场）. More than that, it takes a lot of energy and resources to make them. Starbucks and McDonald's are trying to develop a disposable coffee cup that can be both recyclable and compostable. But that's easier said than done. The coffee giants have been dangling a million dollars to anybody who can crack the code.
The Rolling Stones are also thinking about the sustainable cups. If you see the Stones in concert this summer and go to get a drink, there may be no single-use plastic cup for you. The bands approached Michael Martin, who has produced a bunch of big Earth Day concerts, asking for help to eliminate plastic waste. He came up with a simple solution.
"When you come up to get your first beverage（饮料）, you put down a $3 deposit, you get a really high-quality Rolling Stones-branded cup," says Martin. "You use it throughout the night, and at the end of the event you can turn your cup in and get your $3 back or you can keep your cup." If you return the heavier plastic cup at the end of the show, it gets washed and used again. Or recycled.
But this idea — returning and reusing a cup — this is not that complicated. So why is this just being tried now? "That's a really good question," says Martin. "In America, we're a throwaway society, and so we're hoping we'll be able to wake people up and change things." He's starting with rock concerts because artists have a pretty powerful platform. I mean, if Mick Jagger tells his fans to stop abusing the planet, who's going to say no to that?
1. Why is there a growing push to cut single-use cups down?| A．Because too many people are coffee addicts. |
| B．Because disposable cups are hard to recycle and compost. |
| C．Because it takes a lot of energy and resources to recycle them. |
| D．Because Starbucks and McDonald's are dangling a million dollars. |
| A．develop a cup. | B．set up a recycling company. |
| C．find the password. | D．tackle the problem. |
| A．People will wash the cups at the end of the show. |
| B．People hand in the cup and get 3-dollar reward. |
| C．People can own the cup by paying 3 dollars. |
| D．People must pay 3 dollars and return the cup. |
| A．Artists have a great impact. |
| B．Martin is giving a rock concert. |
| C．Mick Jagger' fans are abusing the planet. |
| D．Mick Jagger' fans never disagree with him. |
2 . Cruising along the long country road in my car, I was singing at the top of my lungs to help pass the time. It was just before midnight and I was making the two-hour journey to see my then-boyfriend, Richard, who lived two hours apart.
Around 20 minutes in, I was driving down a straight stretch of road, when my steering wheel started jerking from side to side and the car shook violently. The wind is strong here, I thought. But when my car suddenly pulled to the other side of the road, the reality of what was happening dawned on me. I was in the middle of an earthquake!
Situated between a mountain on one side and power lines on the other, I was far too scared to stop in case they came crashing down on top of me. Instead, I decided the safest option was to keep driving slowly. But, as the ground continued to shake beneath me, I grew more frightened by the second.
When it finally stopped, I found a safe place to pull over and check my mobile for reception. But there was nothing. Shaken, I was desperate to make my way to the nearest town to find service as quickly as possible.
Traveling at around 100km/h, I noticed a strange shadow on the road ahead. As I got closer, I realized the bridge in front of me had been removed from the road and had risen around 30 centimeters from the ground. I hit the brakes, but there was no way I could slow down in time. Crashing straight into the raised road, my car broke down finally.
Pain tore through my neck and body. I got out and ran to safety on the other side of the road and screamed for help. But, alone in the dead of night, there was no one around to hear me. Thankfully, around 15 minutes later, I saw two headlights in the distance.
1. Why was the author driving on the country road?| A．To pass the time. | B．To meet her boyfriend. |
| C．To break up with Richard. | D．To escape from a natural disaster. |
| A．before the wind became strong |
| B．after the steering wheel started jerking |
| C．as soon as the car started to shake violently |
| D．when her car pulled to the other side of the road |
| A．Because she was too panic to apply the brake. |
| B．Because she tried to get out of the high-risk area. |
| C．Because she wanted to contact the outside world for help. |
| D．Because she was desperate to find service as soon as possible. |
| A．She was rescued by others before long. | B．She had to repair her car on her own. |
| C．She waited in the dark for help but in vain. | D．She warned other drivers of the raised road. |
3 . Lack of airflow in your home can cause indoor air pollution and worsen health issues. Your furniture, the materials in your walls and your carpet can hold poisons, Before buying an expensive air cleaner,you'd better try out a few houseplants first 一they' re much cheaper and look a lot nicer.
Snake Plant
Perfect for your bedroom, this plant is unique in its ability to give off oxygen at night. Snake plants are also able to produce enough oxygen in an air-sealed room for people to breathe normally.It's one of the best plants for filtering (过滤) some harmful gases. Water it once a week, being sure to let the soil dry in- between waterings, and keep it by a window.
Peace Lily
If you' re somebody that loves flowers in the house, this is a great option for you. A peace lily produces fragrant flowers all summer long , and effectively removes formaldehyde(甲醛) from the air. It grows best in shady areas and with the soil kept damp. Be careful though, as this plant can be poisonous if eaten by children or pets.
Bamboo Palm
This fast growing houseplant looks splendid and is safe for children and pets. It will add damp to the air in the dry winter months and remove indoor air pollutants. It grows well in indirect sunlight away from any cold drafts. .Take care of it by keeping the soil wet and misting ts leaves.
Red Edged Dracaena
This drought tolerant plant is good for beginners. It grows well in sunlight. Wipe the underside of the leaves regularly with a damp cloth to make sure it can properly filter your air.Place it in a semi-shaded area and mist the soil with room-temperature water. Careful,it's not pet-friendly.
1. How does a snake plant help you?| A．It produces enough oxygen. | B．It gives off a fragrant smell. |
| C．It keeps the indoor air wet. | D．It makes the bedroom prettier. |
| A．A snake plant. | B．A peace lily. | C．A bamboo palm. | D．A red-edged dracaena. |
| A．They prefer dry conditions. | B．They do good to kids and pets. |
| C．They reduce indoor pollution. | D．They're suitable for beginners. |
4 . If you grew up watching the kid’s television channel Nickelodeon, you will probably understand that there is nothing greater than enjoying its special bright green slime ( 水晶泥). The week of May 11, astronauts (宇航员) aboard the International Space Station(ISS) joined the slime.
Nickelodeon sent two kilos of its green slime into space in the summer of 2019. The Slime in Space project’s idea was to create an educational trip for teachers to use in class. The green slime was also used to guide astronauts through a series of experiments that were designed to learn more about how slime acts in microgravity.
Researchers from Portland State University(PSU) were excited to design the experiments for the project. Mark Weislogel and his partner designed eight shows for NASA astronauts and European Space Agency astronaut aboard to perform.
If you’re wondering what we could hope to learn from sending slime into space, the answer lies in its very name. Slime is slimy. This is because it is a liquid that is thicker than liquids like water. This makes slime act in unexpected ways in the microgravity of the ISS. Improving our understanding of how thicker liquids act in space may help us improve the design of systems that something were designed with Earth’s gravity in mind.
“Interestingly, we consider liquid on Earth as that takes the shape of its container,” Koch tells CNN. “Water just turns into a ball in microgravity, so we’ve had to have a new understanding of different kinds of matter in space. This experiment shows how microgravity can help us understand things on Earth, especially the things we take for granted.”
1. In paragraph one, Nickelodeon is mentioned______.| A．to introduce the topic | B．to attract the kids |
| C．to make advertisements | D．to share a TV show |
| A．Because they get students interested in space. |
| B．Because they help us understand how slime acts in microgravity. |
| C．Because slime is popular with kids in the TV show. |
| D．Because slime takes the shape of its container. |
| A．Confused. | B．Worried. | C．Positive. | D．Uninterested. |
| A．Microgravity makes a difference to matters. |
| B．Astronauts join the slime in space for science. |
| C．Kids join the slime so as to become astronauts. |
| D．Experiments are designed with slimy slime. |
5 . Organic food is very popular. It is also expensive. Some organic food costs twice as much as nonorganic food. Some parents and pet owners pay up to 200 percent more for organic food while some people think organic food is a waste of money.
There is one main difference between organic and non-organic food. Organic farms do not use agricultural chemicals, such as pesticides (杀虫剂). This makes sure that the products are natural.
Some people think “organic” means “locally grown”. At the beginning, this was true. Over time organic farming became more difficult. The demand for organic food grew larger than the supply. Small companies had to sell out to large companies. There weren’t enough organic materials. This made it difficult for many organic companies to stay in business. Today, many large companies have an organic line of products.
Is organic food more nutritious? This is part of the debate. Many farmers and consumers believe it is. They think agricultural chemicals cause health problems, such as cancer. Many health experts disagree. Few studies prove that organic food prevents health problems. Health experts worry more about bacteria. These can come into contact with organic and non-organic food. Doctors recommend washing produce very carefully.
Most people agree that naturally grown food tastes better. Is tastier food worth the extra money? This is a matter of opinion. Whether it is healthier or not may require more research. However, organic consumers argue it is better to be safe than sorry.
1. Which is the NOT the advantage of organic food for most people?| A．safe. | B．cheap. | C．healthy. | D．tasty. |
| A．Reduce the use of pesticides． | B．Wash the food very carefully． |
| C．Grow organic food on your own. | D．Buy large companies’ products． |
| A．It is more nutritious. | B．It tastes better． |
| C．It contains more fat． | D．It has more bacteria． |
| A．A chemistry paper． | B．A restaurant menu. |
| C．An advertisement． | D．A health magazine. |
6 . FLEA MARKETS (跳蚤市场)
For the best selection of flea market product, get there as soon as it opens on the first day of the market. If it’s open Saturday and Sunday all year round, go early on Saturday morning. For seasonal or annual flea markets, go early in the season, preferably the first weekend. You’ll have first pick of the goods the vendors (小贩) gathered during the year.
For the biggest discounts, it’s just the opposite. Shop mid to late afternoon during the final day, or days, of the flea market. The vendors are tired and ready to get home –and they might just cut you some fantastic deals if you ask. You may have to haggle a bit, but you’ll probably go home with some bargains, especially if you’re buying large, heavy pieces the tired sellers don’t want to pack and load.
YARD SALES
Yard sale shopping is a lot like flea market shopping. You’ll find the best selections when the sale first starts. Go early on the first day of the sale. If the sale starts at 7 am, be there a few minutes before – but not so early that you’re labeled an early bird. Don’t wait until Saturday to visit a yard sale that starts on Friday.
Like flea market vendors, yard sale sellers aren’t as willing to haggle early in the morning, but the prices are usually pretty low to start. Don’t wait until the afternoon bargain hours to shop at yard sales.
THRIFT STORES (旧货店)
For the best thrift store selections, ask the employees when the new product arrives. It could be a certain day of the week or a certain time each day. Find out, and then plan your visits for those days and times.
Thrift store prices are usually low, so you might want to snatch things up as soon as you find them. If the prices seem unusually high, ask about their sale structure. Thrift stores don’t always state their sales clearly and sometimes the sales are confusing. Find out when they discount the items that interest you. That’s when you’ll find the best deals.
1. As for the biggest discounts in the Flea Markets, you’d better______.| A．get there about 6:50 am on Friday |
| B．go early on Saturday morning |
| C．ask the host when the new product arrives |
| D．buy items late afternoon during the last day |
| A．after the sale starts | B．as soon as you find them |
| C．when new items arrive | D．before the afternoon bargain begins |
| A．antique collectors | B．economical shoppers |
| C．product vendors | D．wealthy people |
7 . Love to write? Want to see your work published and win some cash along the way? Then read on. The national Spark a Story writing contest is calling in all young storytellers!
Who can participate?
The contest is open to students in grades 9, 10, 11 or 12, or those who are being home-schooled in the United States.
Deadline and requirements
You’re able to send your short story up to October 7th. It will be judged on creativity, originality and overall quality of writing. Your story must be original works and should be no longer than 5000 words. There is no minimum length requirements.
How can I send my short story?
There are three easy ways to send your short story:
*Online at http: // learn. hmhco.com / hmhsparkamind
*Send your short story as a PDF or Microsoft word document to Sparka@hmhco.com
*Send your short story via U.S. Mail to: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
222 Berkeley Street Boston, MA 02116
What will I win?
The best stories will be published next year. Winners will receive a free copy of the book and cash price of $100.
1. The passage is written for _______ to read.| A．students | B．teachers | C．parents | D．foreigners |
| A．Maria, grade 7, from New York. | B．Justin, grade 9, from London. |
| C．Catherine, grade 11, from Washington | D．C. D. Bastian, homeschooled from Paris. |
| A．longer than 5000 words | B．shorter than 5000 words |
| C．an original work | D．sent before October 7th |
| A．Sending it online. | B．Sending it by email. |
| C．Sending it by US mail. | D．Sending it by fax. |
8 . There was a gardener who looked after his garden with great care. To water his flowers，he used two buckets(水桶).One was a shiny and new bucket. The other was a very old and dilapidated one，which had seen many years of service，but was now past its best.
Every morning，the gardener would fill up the two buckets. Then he would carry them along the path，one on each side，to the flowerbeds. The new bucket was very proud of itself. It could carry a full bucket of water without a single drop spilled. The old bucket felt very ashamed(惭愧的)because of its holes: before it reached the flowerbeds，much water had leaked(渗漏)along the path.
Sometimes the new bucket would say，"See how capable I am! How good it is that the gardener has me water the flowers every day! I don’t know why he still uses you. What a waste of space you are!"
And all that the old bucket could say was，"I know I am not very useful，but I can only do my best. I am happy that the gardener still finds a little bit of use in me ，at least.’’
One day，the gardener heard that kind of conversation. After watering the flowers as usual，he said，"You both have done your work very well. Now I am going to carry you back，and I want you to look carefully along the path."
Then the two buckets did so. All along the path, they noticed，on the side where the new bucket was carried，there was just bare earth；on the other side where the old bucket was carried，there was a joyous row of wild flowers，leading all the way to the garden.
1. What was the old bucket ashamed of?| A．Its past. | B．Its aging. | C．Its manner. | D．Its leaking. |
| A．Dirty. | B．Dark. | C．Worn out. | D．Ordinary-looking. |
| A．take pity on the old one | B．laugh at the old one |
| C．show off its good look | D．praise the gardener's kindness |
| A．Because it was used to keep a balance. |
| B．Because it stayed in its best condition. |
| C．Because it had its own advantage. |
| D．Because it was thought of as a treasure. |
9 . In recent years，Myanmar has opened its doors to western tourism．This once-closed state in Southeast Asia is a gold mine for those who enjoy the ancient Buddhist culture of the region．Compared to its neighbors，the landscape of Myanmar has been left largely undamaged．There are so many reasons why Myanmar is amazing and has been rated one of the top Asian tourist destinations for 2019．Here are some of its scenic spots：
Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon
As far as pagodas are concerned，this is one of the most respected in Myanmar．This massive325-foot Buddhist pagoda is surrounded by smaller shiny-gold pagodas．It is believed that some of the hairs of Gautama Buddha are well-preserved in here．The Shwedagon Pagoda is a must-see destination on your traveling schedule．
Long Neck Tribe of the Hill Country
These women—who are identified by their long necks that are stretched by brass neck coils(项圈)from an early age—have become world-famous．You’ll find this tribe in the mountainous north of the country，especially in Chin state．This custom dates back to ancient times when tribesmen—who were always at war with neighboring tribes—put neck coils on their women to prevent them from being taken as prisoners of war．These days，the long-necked women are used to seeing foreigners，who make the long journey to this isolated region of Myanmar for the purpose of seeing them．
Mandalay City
This dusty，hot center of trading and commerce for Myanmar is both fascinating and exciting．You’11 never find a shortage of things to do here．Temples．Medieval-era castles．Buildings from the country’s colonial British past．There are over 600 monasteries and nunneries in the Holy Hills of Sagaing，which overlook Mandalay．The city also has an exciting nightlife which will be an attraction for many．
1. What does the writer intend to tell in the passage?| A．Life styles people in Myanmar have． |
| B．Activities tourists can attend in Myanmar． |
| C．Reasons why Myanmar is suddenly popular． |
| D．Information about some attractions in Myanmar． |
| A．To protect women’s necks． |
| B．To frighten the enemies away． |
| C．To make women more attractive． |
| D．To stop women being victims of war． |
| A．Promising commercial future． | B．Architecture of different styles． |
| C．Shiny-gold pagodas． | D．Abundance of goods in night markets． |
10 . Charlie is a teacher and his wife, Maria is an artist. The night before last, just before the longest day of the year, Charlie was sitting in a deckchair enjoying the warm summer air when Maria touched his shoulder and he could tell immediately she was a little worried about something. He asked her what the matter was and she replied that there was a strange thing on the jacket that was hanging in the bedroom. They had both lived in the West Indies (西印度群岛) and had seen a lot of strange creatures in their house before. But now they were living in England and so Charlie just laughed and said he would have a look at the “thing”.
He walked to the bedroom. He saw a jacket hanging in the bedroom and went up to it to have a closer look at the “thing”. The moment he touched it, the thing sprang into life. Now Charlie experiences fear like the rest of us but when this creature opened its wings, he jumped out of his skin and ran screaming from the room like a small child doing about 100 miles an hour.
For a moment the next-door neighbours thought that Charlie was murdering his wife because of the noise they could hear. In fact, it was a bat that frightened Charlie.
Eventually Charlie managed to trap the bat in a box and took it to the garden to let the bat fly. Maria, who had been playing the guitar while Charlie was upstairs, asked Charlie if he had found out what the thing was. “Oh, nothing to worry about”, he said casually hoping that the terror could not be seen in his eyes, “it was just a bat.”
1. Why was Maria a little worried one night?| A．Because she couldn't find her guitar. | B．Because she saw something strange. |
| C．Because it was too hot for her. | D．Because she had quarreled with her husband. |
| A．stood up | B．was very frightened |
| C．threw off his clothes | D．was very excited |
| A．It was killed by Charlie. | B．It was badly wounded. |
| C．It was set free by Charlie. | D．It was kept as a pet. |
| A．Charlie was afraid that his wife would laugh at him if she knew the truth |
| B．the neighbours would report to the police about Charlie murdering the bat |
| C．the bat wouldn't come to Charlie's room again because it was frightened |
| D．Maria heard her husband screaming downstairs and became frightened |
