1 . The native Americans, the people we call the “Indians”, had been in America for many thousands of years before Columbus arrived in 1492. Columbus thought he had arrived in India, so he called the native people “Indians”.
The Indians were kind to the early settlers. They were not afraid of them and they wanted to help them. They showed the settlers the new world around them. They taught them about the local crops like sweet potatoes, corn and peanuts. They introduced the Europeans to chocolate and to the turkey and the Europeans did business with the Indians.
But soon the settlers wanted bigger farms and more land for themselves and their families. More and more immigrants were coming from Europe and all these people needed land. So the Europeans started to take the land from the Indians. Naturally, when the whites started taking all the Indians’ land, the Indians started fighting back.
But the whites were stronger and cleverer. Slowly they pushed the Indians into those parts of the continent that the whites didn’t want- the parts where it was too cold or too dry or too mountainous to live comfortably. By 1875 the Indians were living in special places called “reservations”. But even here the whites took land from them- perhaps the whites wanted the wood, or perhaps the land had important minerals in it, or they even wanted to make national parks there. So even on their reservations the Indians were not safe from the whites.
There are many Hollywood films about the fight between the Indians and the whites. Usually in these films the Indians are bad and the whites are good and brave. But was it really like that? What do you think? Do you think the Indians were right or wrong to fight against the whites?
1. Why did Columbus call the native people “Indians”?| A．Because he thought he had arrived in India. |
| B．Because he liked Indian culture very much. |
| C．Because he knew they were from India. |
| D．Because he was an Indian himself. |
| A．The Indians gave up their land willingly. |
| B．The settlers wanted to buy land from the Indians. |
| C．The whites even wanted more land on Indians’ reservations. |
| D．The Indians were stronger and cleverer than the white settlers. |
| A．the Indians are usually beautified in the films |
| B．the author is doubtful about what the films show to us |
| C．films about fights are the most popular ones in the market |
| D．films about the fight between the Indians and the whites are very limited |
| A．entertainment | B．history | C．economy | D．industry |
2 . In the winter of 1910, Dr. Wu Lien-teh stepped off a train in the northern Chinese city of Harbin. He was there to solve a medical mystery, at great personal risk. Over the past few months, an unknown disease had swept along the railways of northeast China, killing 99.9%of its victims. The Qing Imperial court had sent the Cambridge-educated Dr. Wu north to stop the epidemic (流行病).
When Dr Wu arrived in Harbin on Christmas Eve, 1910, he carried little in the way of medical instruments and had only one assistant. One of Wu’s first acts upon arrival was to set up special quarantine (隔离) units and to order lockdowns to stop infected persons from traveling and spreading the disease. He had teams check households for possible cases, and even managed to convince authorities to completely close the railways in the early weeks of 1911. Of particular concern was the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, which had become a great annual migration of people traveling across the country to see their families.
Thanks to Dr. Wu’s efforts, the number of victims began to die down, and by March 1, 1911, the epidemic was fully contained. The pneumonic plague outbreak of 1910-1911 lasted nearly four months, affected five provinces and six major cities, and accounted for over 60,000 deaths. It is clear that without the brave and decisive actions taken by Dr. Wu, it could have been much worse. Had the epidemic gone unchecked, allowing holiday rail passengers to spread the disease to the rest of China could have meant a catastrophic loss of life and possibly a global health crisis.
In April 1911, Dr. Wu chaired an International Plague Conference in Shenyang, attended by scientists from 11 counties including the United States, Great Britain, Russia, Japan and France. They praised Dr. Wu for his handling of the 1910-1911 outbreak. For a time, Dr. Wu was the world’s most famous plague fighter, a title be defended in a malaria epidemic in China in 1919, and a return of plague in 1921.
1. What was Dr Wu’s mission in 1910?| A．To take personal risk. | B．To provide medical education. |
| C．To end an epidemic. | D．To investigate the number of victims. |
| A．Setting up special organizations. | B．Convincing authorities to close railways. |
| C．Carrying with him medical instruments. | D．Checking households for possible cases. |
| A．The disease worsened after Mach 1,1911. |
| B．The world was saved from a major epidemic in 1911. |
| C．60,000 people would have died without Dr. Wu’s efforts. |
| D．A global health crisis followed the 1910-1911 outbreak. |
| A．He was infected with malaria in 1919. |
| B．He travelled worldwide hosting conferences. |
| C．He claimed epidemic would never happen again. |
| D．He continued to fight epidemics in China after 1911. |
3 . The era of intelligent home is on the way... A smart pet-flap based on lift door technology that lets pets in — but keeps foxes out —has been made public at the world’s largest tech conference. The MyQ Pet Portal is the latest tool to promise to revolutionise petkeeping.
For $2,999 owners get a new door featuring sliding doors that are unnoticeable when closed. The family pet is equipped with a Bluetooth collar that sends a signal to the sensor hidden in the door which then informs the owner.
A smart phone app allows the owner to choose whether to open the door, with a video and audio stream (音频流) enabling the owner to see and talk to their pet. “ It is a solution for homeowners who want to keep the security and the appearance of their home in good condition while providing their pets with the freedom to play on demand,” the company claims. MyQ is owned by Chamberlain Group, a US company specialising in garage doors.
The door comes with an “auto-close and lock system” that triggers after the dog goes through to ensure that no other pets or foxes can use it. There is also the option to let a dog open the door automatically when it approaches, without the need for the owners’ approval.
Samsung revealed a robot called Bot Handy that can, it is claimed, pick up laundry, load the dishwasher, set the table, pour wine, and fetch drinks. There was also an app or voice-controlled bathtub from Kohler, a US maker of bathroom products, which attempts to make the spa experience at home possible. The tub, costing up to $8,700, can connect to voice assistants such as Alexa that will tell it to run the water, adjust the temperature or release scents.
1. What is the MyQ Pet Portal based on?| A．The bluetooth technology. |
| B．The lift door technology. |
| C．The latest robot technology. |
| D．The voice-controlled technology. |
| A．By pushing the door itself. |
| B．With a sensor in the collar. |
| C．By sending a signal to its owner. |
| D．With the auto-close and lock system. |
| A．By comparing data. |
| B．By analyzing the reasons. |
| C．By giving typical examples. |
| D．By presenting various ideas. |
| A．The revolution of keeping pets. |
| B．The advertisement for sliding doors. |
| C．The application and promotion of a smart app. |
| D．The introduction to home intelligent products. |
4 . Going to bed in one major city and waking up in another; toasting the landscape as a new country slips past; being rocked to sleep as you rattle across a continent. It’s no wonder that the night trains of Europe have been a byword for romance, frequently mentioned by writers such as Agatha Christie.
In fact, over the past decade, much of Europe’s night train network has been cut. For many, it seemed the end of the line was coming. But recently there has been a reappearance of night trains across Europe. On December 8, four national rail providers teamed up to announce new routes between 13 European cities.
“You leave work at a normal time, have dinner, make your way to the station, get on the train, and wake up in the place you want to be. There’s no turning up at the airport at an early hour, as you do for a budget flight.” says Monisha Rajesh, author of “Around the World in 80 Trains.”
The Covid-19 pandemic has helped, too. It is easier for people’s social-distance on the train, says Rajesh. And night trains — where you can book an entire compartment (车厢) to yourself — are even better.
Europe’s geography also helps the argument for night trains, says Nicolas Forien, part of Back onTrack, who points out that half of the flights departing France are either domestic, or going to a neighboring country. “The distance between European capitals is mostly ideal for night trains. The continent could be a night-train paradise.”
1. What’s the purpose of mentioning writers?| A．To advertise for night trains. |
| B．To promote sales of their works. |
| C．To stress the advantages of night trains. |
| D．To introduce the landscapes along the rails. |
| A．Cooperated. | B．Accompanied. |
| C．Debated. | D．Designed. |
| A．people can read books on the train |
| B．the night trains of Europe stand for romance |
| C．European writers prefer taking the night trains |
| D．they are suitable for traveling between European cities |
| A．The Return of Europe’s Night Trains |
| B．The Long-distance Travel in Europe |
| C．Europe’s Transport during Epidemic |
| D．Europe’s Geography and Traffic |
5 . Two deer jumped out in front of 16-year-old Amanda Floyd’s car. She stepped on the brake, stopping the car just in time. But later, she started texting. Distracted, Amanda turned left and right, then crashed into another car. Luckily, she wasn’t in a real car — she was in a driving simulator at Roosevelt High School, Ohio, US. “I never really realized that cars make a turn that much,” Amanda, a junior, said. She added that she wouldn’t text while driving anymore.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and State Highway Patrol brought the simulator to the school. They said they wanted to help students learn about the danger of driving while drunk, while texting, or while talking on the phone.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving claimed 3,450 1ives in 2016 alone. Experts believe the actual figure is probably higher.
The simulator is basically a computer program. Like many computer games, it was a hit with the students. They lined up and crowded around to watch each other take turns. The simulator has a steering wheel (方向盘) , brake and gas pedal . It is made up of three large computer screens on a table.
Students choose a distraction, such as driving while drunk or texting. They always crash, of course. Then, they are pulled over by the police to be taught the bad results of their driving: how much damage they’ve caused, what their fine is, if anyone died in the accident, and if they’re going to go to prison.
“It teaches how to drive without being on the road,” said Shante Thompson, 16. She had just crashed into a deer.
ODOT spokesman Justin Chesnic said hundreds of kids have gone behind the wheel so far. He said even more have benefited from watching their classmates. “Driving is such a major responsibility, so take it seriously,” he said. “Put away your cellphone. A lot of the accidents out there are because of distracted driving. It can not only change your life, but it can change someone else’s life forever. The results are serious. ”
1. What does the author intend to do in Paragraph 1?| A．Introduce the topic of the text. | B．Show the author’s point of view. |
| C．Provide some advice for the readers. | D．Offer some background information. |
| A．It tests the students’ ability to stay focused. |
| B．It gets students to have fun between classes. |
| C．It teaches students how to deal with traffic accidents. |
| D．It makes students aware of the dangers of distracted driving. |
| A．It is connected to the local police station. |
| B．It is a vehicle with three large computer screens. |
| C．It attracts the students’ interest as a computer program. |
| D．It benefits the students who use it more than those who only watch. |
| A．Traffic Rules in Ohio, US | B．Danger of Distracted Driving |
| C．Simulated Driving for Students | D．Advantages of Computer Programs |
6 . Do you have a prized stuffed animal from your childhood? Is it still in your apartment? If so, you’re not alone. 60% of small children have Teddies and other comfort objects, and up to 35% of adults!
Conventional wisdom from the 1970s suggested kids depending on comfort objects somehow lacked secure attachment to their mothers, and that this dependence would threaten their proper development into well-adjusted adults.
However, not too long ago, studies began to show that comfort objects don’t threaten children’s mental health, and may indeed be developmentally advantageous. Children with comfort objects are less shy and more focused than those without them. This is probably because with their presence, children feel braver and less stressed in unfamiliar situations.
Even newer research shows only when a toy is his or her comfort object do children anthropomorphize it. That is, children don’t really mistakenly believe that all objects around them have inside lives. Having an emotional attachment to the comfort object causes children to think of it as a human-like friend, who they can practice telling stories to and share joy and sorrow with. Sometimes they even think from the perspective of this unnatural friend.
Comfort objects are not just soft things for children to grab when they feel sad or lonely. They mean something special to them. So, far from being “wacky toddler (学步儿童) behavior”, choosing a comfort object and treating it as a sacred part of daily rituals is actually extremely sophisticated behavior on the part of small children. If you have a comfort animal, or meet a kid who has one, let the cuddles (拥抱) begin.
1. What do the numbers in Paragraph 1 suggest?| A．It’s abnormal for adults to own Teddies. |
| B．It’s OK for kids to have comfort objects. |
| C．Kids can get more attached to their toys. |
| D．Having comfort objects is actually common. |
| A．They might be a threat after growing up. |
| B．They might have developmental problems. |
| C．They could hardly grow into healthy adults. |
| D．They could get too attached to their mothers. |
| A．Stuffed toys are intended for wacky toddlers. |
| B．Comfort objects boost innovation in children. |
| C．Children believe all stuffed animals have souls. |
| D．Comfort objects are mentally beneficial to kids. |
| A．Favorable. | B．Unconcerned. | C．Doubtful. | D．Critical. |
7 . Voters in Colorado narrowly approved an initiative (计划), setting the stage for the return of gray wolves, which were wiped out in this area by the 1940s. This is the first time that a state has reintroduced an animal like this.
The Colorado Parks and Wildlife department will lead the effort to establish a sustainable population of gray wolves in the western part of the state, beginning in 2022 or 2023. The Southern Rocky Mountains, where there used to be a lot of them, contain millions of acres of suitable habitat that could support several hundred wolves or more, biologists say.
However, some say it’s unwise to leave the question to voters. “State biologists have previously declined to introduce wolves. There's a reason it's never been done before.” says Shawn Martini, spokesperson for Coloradans for Protecting Wildlife, noting that most supporters are from urban areas and they don't have to live alongside the animal, unlike people living in the countryside. Farmers and hunters don't favor the initiative, either. Farmers worry wolves will kill their cattle while hunters worry they will lose elk (驼鹿) to the predators.
On the other hand, according to Jonathan Proctor, a conservationist with the Defenders of Wildlife, reintroducing wolves will restore Colorado's natural balance. They help thin out sick animals, maintaining healthy populations of deer and elk. The remains of wolf kills also provide food for “eaters of the dead”, including wolverines, eagles, and bears. He also emphasizes the experience of living with wolves in other places, like the Northern Rockies, has shown that wolves are not the threat people sometimes make them out to be. Reintroduction program biologists promise to make it a priority to work with people living alongside wolves, providing training and resources to keep the wolves out of the farms in the first place. And a program will be funded to pay farmers for their lost cattle.
1. What can we learn about the Southern Rocky Mountains from the text?| A．They are heavily populated. | B．They were inhabited by wolves. |
| C．They are in the east of Colorado. | D．They are home to small animals. |
| A．It's unfair to make it happen by voting. |
| B．It's welcomed by urban and rural people. |
| C．State biologists shouldn't have opposed it. |
| D．The wolves should be put somewhere else. |
| A．Buy more cattle. | B．Reach out to the locals. |
| C．Relocate the wolves. | D．Clear the site for wolves. |
| A．Wolves are Coming Home. | B．No Worries about Wolves. |
| C．Always Vote for What is Right. | D．Wolves Help Local Ecosystem. |
8 . Tips for Your Best Visit to Legoland California
•Stay Close
Four hotels are within walking distance of the main gate, the newest of which resembles a medieval castle. Guests get an hour of early access to the theme park.
•Use the App
Not only does Legoland Mobile App function as a map, but shows relatively accurate wait time for every ride and special deals for park shops. You can use it to purchase or upgrade your tickets too.
•Go Fishing
The Sea Life Aquarium is here to impress you with kinds of fishes, rays, sharks, reptiles, and amphibians. Extra admission is required.
•Take a Class
In the Imagination Zone, kids above nine and grown-ups can sign up for free classes to build Lego robots. Younger kids can have fun building race cars and testing them on tracks.
•See a Show
Legoland California rolls out various live entertainment experiences throughout the day. Children particularly will love a 15-minute show where human actors sing and dance their way through a plot from Lego Friends.
In a word, Legoland California is definitely a must-see place. Visit www.legoland.com/California to plan your trip NOW. We're always at your service.
1. How can Legoland Mobile App help?| A．Buy souvenirs. | B．Book hotel rooms. |
| C．Cancel tickets. | D．Show directions. |
| A．Live in a medieval castle. | B．Attend classes with a cost. |
| C．Enjoy music and dance. | D．See some animals for free. |
| A．To offer solutions. | B．To give suggestions. |
| C．To describe a park. | D．To promote a destination. |
9 . 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.” |
10 . When you think of the Himalayas, you may picture tall, rocky, snow-covered peaks. But that’s not true.
The subnival (亚冰雪的) region is the zone between the treeline and the snowline. It is 5 to 5 times as large as the areas of glaciers and permanent snow, which means studying it is vital to understanding the Himalayas as a whole.
The treeline is the edge of an ecosystem where trees are able to grow, and beyond the treeline environmental conditions become too tough to allow tree growth. Meanwhile, snowlines are the boundaries on mountains that separate areas with permanent snow (where snow is present for the majority of the year) from areas with seasonal or no snow.
Researchers used satellite data from 1993 to 2018 to measure plant cover between 4,150 meters and 6,000 meters above sea level. The scientists discovered that the greatest increase in plant cover was between an altitude of 5,000 meters and 5,500 meters. Subnival plants mostly include small shrubs and grasses.
Even areas once completely occupied by glaciers now hold rocks covered with mosses, lichen, and sometimes even flowers. In addition, the snowline seems to be retreating, while the treeline is expanding. This shows that the region is becoming warmer, causing more melting of snow and allowing vegetation to move up in height.
In the past 40 years, 25% of all Himalayan ice has been lost due to global warming. Himalayan glaciers are reducing by about 0.5 meters each year. The rate of glacier melting has doubled in this decade. The melting of glaciers increases water in the region, making it wetter. Receding snow also forces the snowline to move up, providing a greater amount of area for the warm and moist conditions, which are perfect for vegetation growth.
As of now, we do not know whether vegetation will accelerate or slow down the rate of glacier melting.
1. How does the writer develop the third paragraph?| A．By explaining concepts. | B．By providing some examples. |
| C．By analyzing causes and effects. | D．By listing specific data. |
| A．Disappearing. | B．Lengthening. | C．Withdrawing. | D．Widening. |
| A．The snowline moves up. | B．Glaciers are melting faster. |
| C．The subnival area is wetter. | D．Plants grow much better. |
| A．The climate of the Himalayas is changing. | B．Icebergs in the Himalayas have disappeared. |
| C．Plants are diverse in the Himalayas. | D．Plant life spreads in the Himalayas. |
