1 . “The fact that the smoke reached São Paulo and blackened an afternoon proves how unusual the fires that burn in the countryside of Brazil are,” Ricardo Mello, head of the World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) Amazon program, said.
The latest figures come at a time of international protest against the inaction of President Jair Bolsonaro's administration. In July, Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) showed data to the public, which indicated that there had been a significant rise in deforestation (毁林) rates. Particularly, the figures showed that in July 2019, deforestation had increased nearly 300 percent in comparison to the same month in 2018.
Environmentalists are becoming increasingly concerned, accusing the government of encouraging deforestation and those who want to make use of the forest for commercial gain. During his time in power, Bolsonaro has moved to rob some power of government agencies that are responsible for protecting the rainforest as well as regulations covering native lands and nature reserves. Bolsonaro sees these kinds of regulations as a drag on economic growth in the Amazon region.
Fire in the Amazon is used as a technique to clear land for agriculture. “Farmers clear cut land to make way for agriculture, and then wait for the dry season to set fire to clear the land so they can plant，” Mello said. “It's likely that all of these forest fires are deliberately set by humans.”
Now it is the dry season in the Amazon, which means conditions in many parts of the rainforest are suitable for the fires to spread over large areas. “It is very unlikely that those fires break out naturally，” Mello said. “It is important to remember that 2019 is not a strong El Niño year. When we have strong El Niños, weather gets drier in the northern part of Brazil and this favors fires. This is not the case of 2019.”
1. Why are deforestation figures of 2018 and 2019 compared?| A．To share knowledge of the Amazon forest. |
| B．To show how the Brazil president governs. |
| C．To stress the seriousness of deforestation. |
| D．To express the anger of environmentalists. |
| A．Weakening relevant government agencies. |
| B．Encouraging the fight for commercial gain. |
| C．Using techniques to clear land for agriculture. |
| D．Defending regulations about nature reserves. |
| A．They're fit for fires to break out naturally. |
| B．The Amazon experiences the dry season. |
| C．They're possible for fires to spread everywhere. |
| D．The Amazon is just in a strong El Niño year. |
| A．Jair Bolsonaro's Administration Was Accused |
| B．Farmers Cleared Amazon Land for Agriculture |
| C．Unusual Rainforest Fires: Effects on Health and Weather |
| D．Amazon Fires: Possibly Linked to Environmental Policies |
2 . Forget about the “post-1995 generation”. Young people born in 1995 or later have another name in English — Generation Z. They are entering adulthood and will soon shape our future, which is why policy makers, as well as employers and marketers, are trying their best to understand these young people. So, how should we pin down the Gen Z-ers?
Most people will agree that the single biggest difference between Gen-Z and other generations is how connected they are. This is a group of people who had access to social media as soon as they were born. Social media has changed the way Gen Z-ers interact with each other and how they get and process information. They read news from Twitter, watch videos from Vine, share experiences in Instagram and post recipes in Pinterest.
“We are the first true digital natives. I can almost simultaneously create a document, edit it, post a photo on Instagram and talk on the phone, all from the user-friendly iPhone,” said Hannah Payne, an 18-year-old UCLA student.
It is noted that young people in the UK are becoming more active in Politics. Young people regard voting as one option among many to show their political engagement that can potentially influence policies. Instead of party politics, they focus more on single-topic issues such as feminism or climate change. And “much of the engagement and organizing they do takes place on social media rather than through traditional political structures,” according to the Guardians.
Gen Z-ers are also culture creators. Growing up with the Internet has freed this generation from traditional cultural expression. They are no longer willing to let their creativity be limited by their parents or traditional rules. “We decide what kind of content we want to experience and choose how we experience it,” wrote Masback, a Huffington Post blogger and a Gen Z-er herself.
1. What does the underlined phrase “pin down” mean in Paragraph 1?| A．Cooperate with. | B．Firmly convince. |
| C．Communicate with. | D．Clearly understand. |
| A．It’s topic-specific. | B．It stresses social response. |
| C．It’s party-based. | D．It has an immediate effect. |
| A．They are socially responsible. | B．They are friendly and generous. |
| C．They are addicted to social media. | D．They are rooted in traditional culture. |
| A．Worried. | B．Suspicious. | C．Objective. | D．Disapproving. |
3 . There are now many products and services on the market which are similar in content though produced by different companies. It is vital, therefore, for a company to distinguish itself from its competitors by having a strong company image which is immediately recognizable.
Logos are part of this image. They are symbols which often include a name or initials to identify a company. The logo establishes a visual identity for the company, just as different groups of young people express their identity through hairstyles and clothes. All groups from all cultures and throughout the ages have used colors and symbols to show their identity.
In different cultures, different colors carry different meanings. Some colors may be connected with coldness in one culture and with warmth in another; some colors represent life in one culture but death in another. International companies have, therefore, to make sure that their logos will not be misunderstood in different countries.
The logos of large international companies are instantly recognizable throughout the world.One of the most famous logos is that of Coca-Cola. The design of the words “Coca-Cola” has not changed since 1886,although the surrounding design has been changed from time to time. Many companies have, over the years, renewed their logos to fit in with contemporary design and to present more powerful images. Company logos can be emotive and can inspire loyalty by influencing the subconscious(潜意识).Some logos include an idea of the product: the steering wheel in the Mercedes logo, for example, and the aeroplane tail of Alitalia.
Logos are used on packaging and brochures as well as on the product itself. They may also appear in newspapers or on television as part of an advertising campaign. Companies need to have a strong corporate identity. The logo helps to promote this image and to fix it in the minds of the consumers. Logos, therefore, need to be original and to have impact and style.
1. The most basic function of a company’s logo is to _______.| A．describe the business the company is engaged for the consumers |
| B．distinguish the company from its realistic and potential competitors |
| C．project a positive image of the company and its products or services |
| D．make the products and services of the company more recognizable |
| A．Colors may be misinterpreted in different cultures. |
| B．Colors are not the best tools to identify a company. |
| C．Colors may represent death in some cultures. |
| D．International companies are careful about the use of colors. |
| A．explain the name of a company should remain unchanged |
| B．ensure that the logo should not be misinterpreted in different cultures |
| C．state the surrounding design of the logo can always be changed |
| D．illustrate the importance of having a recognizable image |
| A．fitting in with the contemporary design |
| B．inspiring loyalty from the consumers |
| C．displaying originality and impact |
| D．promoting a strong corporate identity |
4 . Pacific Science Center Guide
◆Visit Pacific Science Center's Store
Don't forget to stop by Pacific Science Center's Store while you are here to pick up a wonderful science activity or souvenir to remember your visit. The store is located(位于) upstairs in Building 3 right next to the Laser Dome.
◆Hungry?
Our exhibits will feed your mind, but what about your body? Our café offers a complete menu of lunch and snack options, in addition to seasonal specials. The café is located upstairs in Building 1 and is open daily until one hour Pacific Science Center closes.
◆Rental Information
Lockers are available to store any belongings during your visit. The lockers are located in Building 1 near the Information Desk and in Building 3.Pushchairs and wheelchairs are available to rent at the Information Desk and Denny Way entrance.ID required.
◆Support Pacific Science Center
Since 1962, Pacific Science Center has been inspiring a passion(热情) for discovery and lifelong learning in science, math and technology. Today, Pacific Science Center serves more than 1.3 million people a year and brings inquiry－based science education to classrooms and community events all over Washington State. It's an amazing accomplishment and one we cannot achieve without generous support from individuals, corporations, and other social organizations. Visit pacificsciencecenter.org to find various ways you can support Pacific Science Center.
1. Where can you buy a souvenir at Pacific Science Center?| A．In Building 1. | B．In Building 3. | C．At the Laser Dome. | D．At the Denny Way entrance. |
| A．Train science teachers. | B．Distribute science books. |
| C．Inspire scientific research. | D．Take science to the classroom. |
| A．To encourage donations. | B．To advertise coming events. |
| C．To introduce special exhibits. | D．To tell about the Center's history. |
| A．It’s a place where people are fed. |
| B．It’s a place where people go shopping. |
| C．It’s a place where people pick up souvenirs |
| D．It’s a place which inspires people’s passion for science. |
5 . As I drove along the road, small car flew across the center divider from the opposite direction and crashed into my car head-on. I fell unconscious and was awakened by the ringing of my mobile phone.
I was brought to Kuala Lumpur General Hospital bleeding on from my nose, mouth and legs. But the hospital staff was too busy to attend to me, so I called a friend to tell him about the accident. Some friends arrived very soon and sent me to a private hospital nearby. I saw my injured feet hanging from my body, blue and lifeless, and I begged the doctors to save them at all cost. They calmly promised to do their best.
The doctors made it. After I was discharged, I was given ten months medical leave. My heart sank, knowing that it meant I, a big man, couldn't work. How was I going to support my 65-year-old mother and other family members? I felt completely helpless, but a la of unexpected blessings came my way. When I was recovering at home, friends and relatives helped me with my banking, insurance or simply came to cheer me up.
When the casts（石膏）were removed, I did not let the sight of my weak legs discourage me. I worked hard at my physiotherapy（物理疗法）with only one aim. After eight months, I was walking without the aid of a walking stick. Oh February the following year, I returned to my job again. Today, after eight years, I have travelled to many counties as a tour leader.
The accident makes me realize how lives can change in a second. I value life more, not only of my own but also of everyone I know, and I will always try to help when I know of someone in trouble.
1. What made the author come back to life in the traffic accident?| A．Someone made a call to him. |
| B．A car crashed into his ear head-on. |
| C．One of his friends gave him first aid. |
| D．His mobile phone was out of order suddenly. |
| A．Was inspired. | B．Got injured. |
| C．Was discovered. | D．Left hospital. |
| A．He is honest and strong. | B．He is learned and intelligent. |
| C．He is optimistic and determined. | D．He is discouraged and desperate. |
| A．Life is very precious to people. | B．It's a hard job to be a tour guide. |
| C．Many people are in trouble in life. | D．It's a must for someone to help others. |
This month Angelina Horsefield writes about an animal rescue （援救） society in Australia: WIRES |
WIRES （Wildlife Information and Rescue Service） began in 1985 when someone found an injured bird in a park in Sydney, Australia. At the time, no one knew how to help this “native” animal. WIRES help animals like snakes, kangaroos and, of course, birds. However, they can only help Australian wildlife, so they can’t help other animals like cats or rabbits. Like other animal rescue groups, WIRES need more people. I believe they are helping the local animals, but they can only continue if others join in. They hold excellent courses, where people can learn what to do when they find an injured animal. They also explain what happens to the animals in their care. Many of the people who help also lake care of the animals themselves in their own gardens or on their farms. I spoke to 15-year-old Guy McKenzie, whose dad helps WIRES in his free time. Guy told me about the work they do. “Dad usually gets a phone call at home and drives immediately to where the animal is, to rescue it. He has special equipment and always wears gloves. The animals are wild, after all.” Guy also talked about a woman who found a bat in her garden. She thought it might be dead but then she noticed that there was a baby bat too. Guy’s dad brought it back to the centre, where it grew into a healthy adult. Then, WIRES returned it to nature. Guy showed me a baby kangaroo that his dad was looking after and told me that one day he’ll be doing the same thing. Yes, he will, for sure. |
1. WIRES aim at helping ________.
| A．pet animals | B．wildlife animals |
| C．small animals | D．farm animals |
| A．who started WIRES | B．how one helps WIRES |
| C．why people join WIRES | D．how WIRES study animals |
| A．Live in nature. | B．Take care of his dad. |
| C．Study bats. | D．Work for WIRES. |
| A．describe a course on animals | B．introduce an animal scientist |
| C．call on people to join the rescue group | D．give advice on keeping pets |
7 . There are only a few truly pleasant smells to wake up to in the morning. It might be the aroma of freshly baked bread, or the scent of your partner’s freshly brushed teeth - but for me, it’s the smell of freshly cooked coffee. Just a sniff of it makes me jump out of bed and rush to the kitchen for a gulp(大口) of the hot black liquid.
I also know the experience when I walk into a cafe for my double espresso(浓缩咖啡) or flat white, my mouth begins to water in advance. Although it’s really the caffeine hit I’m after, it’s the smell that makes me feel good.
However, this feeling sometimes turns to disappointment when I actually start drinking my hot coffee - the taste just doesn’t match the smell. This is particularly the case when I order a coffee to go in a tall paper cup and sip the liquid through a hole in the lid. Yes, it’s convenient, but is it really the right way to appreciate it?
Tim Hayward, a food writer and coffee shop owner，describes this process as “strange”. He says, “You walk into the coffee shop, you get the smell, but when you actually take the drink out, you are drinking it from something that is designed to deliver the hot liquid directly past your tongue, but stop any smell coming up to your nose.”
As well as removing the smell, takeaway coffee cups create a lot of waste and a vast majority of them still don’t get recycled. In 2011, it was estimated that 2.5 billion coffee cups were thrown away each year in the UK, and that figure is likely to be higher now. So maybe now is the time to really wake up and smell the coffee by drinking from a cup or mug in a cafe, chatting with friends and saving the planet!
1. From the first two paragraphs we know ________.| A．the author loves coffee alone |
| B．the smell of coffee is pleasant |
| C．people smell one scent at a time |
| D．smells are used to wake up people |
| A．The way to enjoy coffee. |
| B．Coffee doesn’t taste tasty. |
| C．No partner shares coffee with him. |
| D．The type of coffee he likes isn’t available. |
| A．The smell of coffee. |
| B．Hot coffee without smell. |
| C．Treating coffee just as hot liquid. |
| D．Drinking coffee in the coffee shop. |
| A．People recycle coffee regularly. |
| B．Takeaway coffee is of high quality. |
| C．Pollution caused by coffee cups is growing. |
| D．A cup or mug is widely used for drinking coffee. |
8 . I work at a grocery store in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood, which gets a lot of regulars. On March 12, the Quebec government announced to close all public places to stop the spread of the pandemic(流行病)of coronavirus.
The next day the store was the busiest I've ever seen. The six cash registers had to be kept open from 10 a. m. until close. It was nuts. I didn't have time to eat lunch, and whenever one of us on cash had to use the bathroom, we’d have to bring in a coworker off the floor to cover for us.
Since then, the atmosphere in the store has been different. Customers are mostly considerate, but whenever someone coughs or sneezes, everyone turns around to make sure that person sneezed into their elbow. I've even seen customers come in wearing some strange get-ups. One guy even came in with a plastic Walmart bag wrapped around his entire head, with a slit cut out for his eyes.
A lot of my coworkers have left to avoid a public-facing job during the pandemic. Grocery store workers across Canada are putting their health at risk every time they come in to work, but a lot of us are still making close to minimum wage. I realized that I feel more exhausted than normal even though I'm working the same hours.
There still have been some moments of kindness in the midst of the chaos. I've overheard people talking on the phone who sounded as though they were organizing grocery deliveries for those stuck at home. And this past weekend a very nice lady thanked us for continuing to work. I know everyone is worried, but it's uneless having the same scary conversations day after day. Instead, tell us a funny anecdote, or about Homething nice. We'll appreciate the distraction, and you'll make our day just a bit brighter.
1. What does the author intend to show by " It was nuts." in paragraph 2?| A．The goods were in short supply. |
| B．The store was having a big sale. |
| C．The cashiers complained about their work. |
| D．The locals rushed to do shopping like crazy. |
| A．They like to shop here in disguise. |
| B．They are panicky about the disease . |
| C．They are more friendly to each other. |
| D．They have taken proper preventive measures. |
| A．Optimistic. | B．Talented. | C．Ambitious. | D．Efficient. |
| A．It is not work but worry that kills |
| B．Helping others is helping ourselves |
| C．Moments of kindness shine in a time of chaos |
| D．Here is what it's like working in the pandemic |
9 . Kobe Bryant was one of nine people killed in a helicopter crash on 26, Jan. 2019. He was 41. His 13-year-old daughter Gianna was also killed in the crash. Bryant was one of the greatest NBA players of all-time and an icon in the sports world. In addition to his success on the basketball court, Bryant was known for a ceaseless work ethic and incredible drive.
In honor of Bryant’s legacy, here are some inspiring quotes from Bryant on hard work, success, and life.
On achieving success:
“When you make a choice and say, ‘Come hell or high water, I am going to be this,’ then you should not be surprised when you are that. It should not be something that is intoxicating or out of character because you have seen this moment for so long that ... when that moment comes, of course it is here because it has been here the whole time, because it has been [in your mind] the whole time.”
On failure:
“I don’t mean to sound cavalier when I say that, but never. It’s basketball. I’ve practiced and practiced and played so many times. There’s nothing truly to be afraid of, when you think about it ... Because I’ve failed before, and I woke up the next morning, and I’m OK. People say bad things about you in the paper on Monday, and then on Wednesday, you're the greatest thing since sliced bread. I’ve seen that cycle, so why would I be nervous about it happening?”
On life:
“There’s a choice that we have to make as people, as individuals. If you want to be great at something there is a choice you have to make. We can all be masters at our craft, but you have to make a choice. What I mean by that is, there are inherent sacrifices that come along with that — family time, hanging out with your friends, being a great friend, being a great son, nephew, whatever the case may be. There are sacrifices that come along with that.”
On retiring and facing the end of his basketball career:
“There is beauty in that. I mean, it's going through the cycle. I mean, it's the cycle that is the natural progression of growth, of maturation. I mean, there's no sadness in that ... I see the beauty in not being able to blow past defenders anymore, you know what I mean? I see the beauty in getting up in the morning and being in pain because I know all the hard work that it took to get to this point. So, I’m not, I'm not sad about it. I'm very appreciative of what I've had.”
1. What is the attitude of Kobe Bryant towards achieving success by saying “Come hell or high water, I am going to be this”?| A．Confident | B．Determined |
| C．Optimistic | D．Frightened |
| A．not serious or caring | B．anxious and eager |
| C．worried and pessimistic | D．not proud or arrogant |
| A．fight against those who said bad things about him. |
| B．worry about others’ comments on his performance. |
| C．cheer for himself by regarding himself as the greatest figure. |
| D．show no fear facing ups and downs. |
| A．People paid tribute to Kobe Bryant for his success on the basketball court. |
| B．Kobe Bryant devoted more of his life to basketball instead of accompanying his family. |
| C．Kobe Bryant regarded his retirement as the beginning of another career. |
| D．Kobe Bryant felt emotionless when facing the end of his basketball career. |
10 . The term modern art sounds like it means art that is popular at the moment, but in fact, modern art is a style that originated over 150 years ago, and includes artists that by now have attained classic status, such as Picasso, Matisse, and Gauguin. And what’s even more ironic (讽刺的) is that the movement they pioneered, considered revolutionary at the time, was inspired largely by an object of a traditional and ancient design.
As far back as the Renaissance, the primary European art movements emphasized conventional representation and adherence (遵循) to classical forms. But that began to change in the late 19th century as artists like Van Gogh and Cezanne expanded the boundaries of painting. Soon, a movement arose that sought to create an entirely new style of art, and one way of doing so was to look beyond Western civilization.
Henri Matisse showed his friend Picasso a mask he had acquired made by the Dan tribe of the Ivory Coast. The mask awoke Picasso’s curiosity, leading him to visit the Trocadero Ethnographic Museum in Paris in 1907. The visit was eye-opening for Picasso, who declared that African masks were what painting was all about. At this time, Picasso had been working on a painting of five naked women in a style that would later come to be known as Cubism. And while three of these ladies show facial features found in ancient Iberian art, a nod to Picasso’s Spanish heritage, the faces of the two on the right closely resemble African masks. Created in 1907 after hundreds of sketches and studies, “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon” has been considered the first truly 20th century masterpiece, breaking with many previously held notions in art.
Inspiration from ancient cultures started one of the most revolutionary movements in art history, but were these artists playing the role of explorers or conquerors, stealing ideas and profiting from cultures they considered primitive? Questions like this deserve scrutiny (审查), as artists continue to redefine standards. Perhaps not too long from now, the bold innovations (单新) of modern art will be overturned by a new set of pioneers drawing inspiration from another unlikely source.
1. The style of European art didn’t experience any changes until__________| A．artists turned to nature for inspiration. |
| B．artists looked beyond western civilization. |
| C．artists began to emphasize self-expression. |
| D．artists expanded the boundaries of painting. |
| A．It combined different cultural elements. |
| B．Its distinctive style invited much criticism. |
| C．It broke away from all conventional styles. |
| D．It was inspired by a visit to the Ivory Coast. |
| A．Artistic creation involves imitation and innovation. |
| B．The pioneering role of modern artists is questionable. |
| C．Drawing inspiration from different cultures is essential. |
| D．It’s vital that the standards of art should change constantly. |
| A．A Glimpse into Modern European Art |
| B．The Pioneering Figures of Modern Art |
| C．Why We Should Redefine Modern Art |
| D．How Ancient Art Influenced Modern Art |
