1 . China's historic 23-day Chang'e 5 mission has not only obtained precious rock and soil samples from the moon, but has also brought back a group of seeds that traveled the furthest in the nation's agricultural and forestry histories. More than 30 kinds of seeds, including that of rice, oats etc., were placed inside the multi-module Chang'e 5 spacecraft and orbited around the moon for about 15 days.
Scientists wished to check what would happen to the seeds after being exposed to extraterrestrial (地外的) forces in lunar orbit and also hoped that they could develop beneficial mutations (突变). This mission offered good opportunities to scientists, which enabled them to deepen their studies on the effect of cosmic rays on the growth and evolution of life on Earth.
Space-based mutation breeding refers to the process of exposing seeds to forces such as microgravity, vacuums and cosmic radiation during a spaceflight and then sending them back to Earth for further observation and planting. Researchers observe and examine several generations of plants grown from space-bred seeds and investigate their mutations-some are positive and desirable while others are negative. Those with positive mutations will be kept and analyzed, and will be introduced to farmers after their certification and approval.
Space breeding can generate mutations faster and more conveniently than ground-based experiments and can bring about some desirable traits that are otherwise hard to introduce. Compared with natural or conventionally bred types of plants, space-developed versions with positive mutations usually feature higher nutritional content, greater annual yields, shorter growth periods and better resistance to diseases and insect pests.
China conducted its first space breeding experiment in 1987, using a satellite to carry seeds into space. Since then, hundreds of kinds of seeds and seedlings have traveled with dozens of Chinese spaceships. Space breeding has helped to produce more than 200 new types of mutated plants in China that have been approved for large-scale cultivation, ranging from grains to vegetables and fruits. The Chang'e 5 robotic mission returned 1,731 grams of lunar rock and soil to Earth, marking a historic accomplishment 44 years after the last lunar substances were taken back.
1. Why were the seeds placed inside Chang'e 5?| A．To pick out the fittest for mutations. | B．To understand extraterrestrial forces. |
| C．To study the intensity of cosmic rays. | D．To expose them to a special environment. |
| A．It is not a time-consuming process. | B．Mutations develop in a random way. |
| C．It often brings about desirable effects. | D．Approval will be granted to mutated plants. |
| A．It is a custom to put seedlings on a spacecraft. |
| B．China was the first to do a space breeding experiment. |
| C．It is some time since seeds were last taken into space. |
| D．Space breeding has brought us commercial benefits. |
| A．Space-bred Seeds Offer Great Chances | B．Chang'e 5 Returns with a Big Package |
| C．Plant Mutations Result in a Better Life | D．Seeds from Space Mark a New History |
2 . Researchers at CU Boulder have developed a wearable device that changes the human body into a biological battery. The device is stretchy(弹性的) enough that you can wear it like a ring, sport band or any other thing that touches your skin. It also taps into a person's natural heat-employing thermoelectric generators to change the body's internal temperature into electricity. "In the future, we want to be able to power your wearable electronics without having to include a battery," said Jianliang Xiao, an associate professor at CU Boulder.
The concept may sound like something out of The Matrix film series, in which a race of robots have enslaved humans to harvest their precious organic energy. Xiao and his colleagues aren't that ambitious: Their devices can generate about 1 volt (伏特) of energy for every square centimeter of skin space-less volt per area than what most existing batteries provide but still enough to power electronics like watches or fitness trackers.
Scientists have previously experimented with similar wearable devices, but Xiao's is stretchy, can heal itself when damaged and is fully recyclable-making it a cleaner alternative to traditional electronics. "Whenever you use a battery, you're depleting(消耗) that battery and will, eventually, need to replace it," Xiao said. "The nice thing about our device is that you can wear it, and it provides you with constant power."
Just pretend that you're out for a jog. As you exercise, your body heats up, and that heat will radiate out to the cool air around you. Xiao's device captures that flow of energy rather than let it go to waste. "The thermoelectric generators are in close contact with the human body, and they can use the heat that would normally be sent into the environment," Xiao said.
1. What does Xiao expect of his device at present?| A．It will be used for medical purposes. |
| B．It will be made smaller and wearable. |
| C．It will change natural power into electricity. |
| D．It will supply constant power to wearable devices. |
| A．To give an explanation. | B．To make a comparison. |
| C．To introduce a topic. | D．To analyze the cause. |
| A．The strengths of Xiao's device. |
| B．The convenience of using a battery. |
| C．The replacement of wearable devices. |
| D．The development of traditional electronics. |
| A．It operates with plenty of power. |
| B．It is designed for practical use. |
| C．It benefits people's health in a way. |
| D．It's based on traditional electronics. |
3 . The kids get Christmas decorations out of a well-loved cardboard box with great care. Jenny stands beside them, softly explaining each treasure. She and Bob built their collection piece by piece during each year's after — Christmas sale.
We first met Bob and Jenny in the early days of our marriage. Someone had been returning our garbage cans to the garage each garbage day. Then one day we spotted him: an elderly man who lived across the street. I left cookies outside the garage with a thank-you note. Later that day, a typed letter had replaced the gift. It was from Bob and explained how he would come to walk the neighborhood on garbage day, returning cans for people he barely knew. Back when he had been fighting a war, his young wife, Jenny, had found herself living alone. Neighbors had taken the time to handle her garbage cans so she didn't have to ...
A few years after we had moved in, Bob died. We told Jenny how special Bob had been to us. When Jenny invited us over to look through Christmas ornaments, I realized how hard it was to part with that box, a piece of Bob.
These days, we're piling up boxes of our own. We're planning a move. The house that seemed so huge six years ago is fully filled with furniture and books and, of course, people. We know it's time to go, and yet we can't seem to stick the For Sale sign up.
It's not just Jenny. It's the man who lets our kids pick peaches in his front yard. It's the ladies who leave overflowing baskets for our kids on Easter. It's the officer who smiles and makes me feel a little safer when Jim's away. Thank you, I'll say. For teaching us what it means to be a neighbor.
1. Why did Bob handle garbage cans for his neighbors?| A．To help those in need of financial aid. |
| B．To repay his neighbors' unselfish help. |
| C．To set an example for the next generation. |
| D．To persuade the neighbors of his greatness. |
| A．Wise and positive. | B．Helpful and caring. |
| C．Hardworking and brave. | D．Grateful and energetic. |
| A．The house isn't big enough for the family. |
| B．There is a better place for the family to live. |
| C．She gets fed up with all the garbage cans. |
| D．Her kids need a better education in the future. |
| A．It is hard to say goodbye | B．How can we leave our home? |
| C．What it means to be a neighbor | D．This is what we call harmony |
Since it was founded in 1947, Italy’s first public playhouse has consistently staged some of Western theatres’ most challenging works, such as Euripides’ and Shakespeare’s. Shows here are guaranteed to be daring and thought-provoking (发人深省的). Tickets are priced from €22 to €30. You can buy tickets from the box office or book online.
Address: Via Rovello 2, 20121 Milan
Teatro alla Scala
It was opened in 1778, with the debut (初次登台) of Antonio Salieri’s Europa Riconosciuta. There are operatic performances mostly year round, as the theatre is closed during the month of August. Tickets range from €24 for seats with blocked views of the stage to €210 for orchestra-level seats. You can buy tickets online, from authorized sales agents and from the box office.
Address: Filodrammatici Street, 2 — 20121 Milan
Auditorium di Milano Fondazione Cariplo
Originally a 1930s cinema house, today it hosts a full calendar (日历) of symphonic and choral (合唱的) music. Its productions range from the classics to the contemporary, with symphonic tributes (颂歌) to Pink Floyd, the Beatles, and Queen. The cheapest tickets are priced at €8.
Address: Largo Mahler — 20136 Milan
Teatro Manzoni
Founded in 1850 as a theatre for dramatic plays, Teatro Manzoni was destroyed by bombing in 1943. It was rebuilt to the designs of architect Mario Cavalle and reopened in 1950. Today it’s a great space for various kinds of performances, including plays, variety shows and musical performances. Tickets start at €20, and parents can frequently find productions that will appeal to young children.
Address: Alessandro Manzoni Street 42 — 20121 Milan
1. At which theatre will people watch some daring and inspiring plays?| A．Teatro alla Scala | B．Piccolo Teatro |
| C．Teatro Manzoni | D．Auditorium di Milano Fondazione Cariplo |
| A．listen to symphonic and choral music |
| B．appreciate dramatic plays with your children |
| C．watch Antonio Salieri’s Europa Riconosciuta |
| D．enjoy classical dramas at Italy’s first public playhouse |
| A．Its unique design style. | B．Its easy access to performers. |
| C．Its wide range of shows. | D．Its requirements for the actor’s lines. |
5 . Aeron McQuillin, 18, Bailey Campbell, 17, and Billy Tarbett, 15, were on their way to a supermarket in Fonthill, Ontario, when they spotted a woman on the side of the road with smoke coming out of her car. They quickly found the problem and determined the car was too dangerous to drive.
The driver couldn’t afford a tow truck (拖车). So, Billy suggested that they push the car. The woman lives more than five miles away. Dan Morrison, who also stopped to help, told CNN the driver’s jaw dropped on hearing the teens’ offer. Bailey told CNN they just wouldn’t want to be stuck like that, so they insisted.
The three bought bottles of water and a speaker so they could “jam out” and started their journey. Morrison drove behind them with his hazard lights (双闪灯) on for safety. Baily said they faced several problems. The first was a big hill 300 yards from the start. Halfway through, they took a break and the battery died. They had to charge it just to get back into neutral (空挡位置).
After more than two and a half hours of pushing, they finally delivered the car back home. Bailey described the motorist as both thankful and amazed. They exchanged hugs, and everyone went home for some much-needed rest. The teens never got the woman’s full name.
Morrison took a couple of pictures of the teens, hoping to turn them into hometown heroes on social media. His Facebook post went viral, with positive comments coming in from as far away as Australia.
1. What did the three teens do on their way to the supermarket?| A．They saved an injured driver. |
| B．They helped repair a damaged car. |
| C．They witnessed a car crash accident. |
| D．They pushed a car to its owner’s home. |
| A．Surprised. | B．Annoyed. | C．Frightened. | D．Embarrassed. |
| A．He bought them water. |
| B．He let them drive his own car. |
| C．He provided them with a speaker. |
| D．He warned drivers behind to keep their distance. |
| A．Emotional. | B．Demanding. | C．Caring. | D．Honest. |
6 . By now, most of us have picked up at least one pandemic hobby. And there's a seemingly common pandemic hobby trend: People who haven't been able to go anywhere are making imaginary travel plans. Maybe you're among those who have spent hours researching locations-even though you're not actually planning to travel.
It turns out that you aren't alone. People who seem to be sticking to public safety recommendations are still planning trips they don't intend to book. And, when I suddenly found myself addicted to an imaginary girls' trip to Joshua Tree, I wondered whether this was a healthy distraction.
"It's an escapist imagination," said Regine Galanti, a psychologist, adding that there's nothing wrong with escapism during a global pandemic.
On the one hand, distractions are often beneficial right now. We are a full year into living with COVID-19 as a pandemic, and that means you've probably had to navigate a range of emotions like discomfort, sadness, or even boredom. So any hobby that doesn't harm anyone or endanger your well-being is probably a worthy attempt.
Even if vacation planning is your happy place, Dr. Galanti suggests you "actually think about what you're trying to achieve." Why? "Maybe what you're saying is, I need a vacation from work," Dr. Galanti explains. "Then take three days off even if you are not going anywhere. "When you figure out what you're looking for, you might be able to find a small socially distanced adventure in your backyard or a quiet place. Vacation planning is a good way to spend some time, but there might be an even better way to get what you're desiring.
Anyway, when uncertainty is all around us, creating things to look forward to isn't a terrible idea. And when things are safer, you'll have all your plans in place.
1. Why do people make imaginary travel plans during the pandemic?| A．To develop a new hobby. | B．To stay safe and sound. |
| C．To be distracted from reality. | D．To get ready for future travel. |
| A．Express. | B．Balance. | C．Adapt to. | D．Deal with. |
| A．Objective. | B．Negative. | C．Supportive. | D．Unclear. |
| A．Figures. | B．Lifestyle. |
| C．Food and recipe. | D．Science and technology. |
7 . This was the first real task I received in my new school. It seemed simple: go on the Internet and find information about a man named George Washington. As I searched the name, I found that there were two famous people having the same name who looked completely different! One invented hundreds of uses for peanuts(花生), while the other led some sort of army across America. I stared at the screen, wondering which one my teacher meant. I called my grandfather for a golden piece of advice; let the coin decide. I flipped(掷) a coin and Ah! Tails (背面)! My report would be about the great man who invented peanut butter, George Washington Carver.
Weeks later, I stood in front of the classroom and proudly read my homework. But things started to get strange. I looked around the room, only to find my classmates with big smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes and my stone-faced teacher. I was completely lost. “What could be causing everyone to act this way?”
Oh well, I dropped the paper and sat down at my desk, burning to find out what I had done wrong. As a classmate began his report, it all became clear, “My report is on George Washington, the man who started the American War of Independence.” The whole world became quiet! How could I know that my teacher meant that George Washington?
Of course, my subject result was awful. Sad but fearless, I decided to turn this around. I talked to the headmaster Miss Lancelot, but she said firmly: No re-dos; no new score. I felt that it was not fair, and I believed I deserved a second chance. So I threw myself heartily into my work for the rest of the school year. Ten months later, I sat in the headmaster’s office again, but this time a completely different conversation. I smiled and flashed back to the terrible moment at the beginning of the year as the headmaster told me I was good enough to skip(跳过) the 6th grade and started the 7th grade next term.
1. The task I received was to find information about ________.| A．uses for peanuts |
| B．American War of Independence |
| C．George Washington |
| D．my headmaster Miss Lancelot |
| A．I was too proud of my homework |
| B．I mistook what the homework was about |
| C．the whole world suddenly became quiet |
| D．the teacher’s face turned to a stone |
| A．the headmaster didn’t like the writer at all |
| B．the writer’s classmates felt sad at his mistake |
| C．the writer knew little about American history |
| D．the writer’s grandpa was a very wise man |
| A．Seeing is believing. |
| B．Where there is a will, there is a way. |
| C．One is never too old to learn. |
| D．A friend in need is a friend indeed. |
8 . No human has set foot on the Moon since 1972. Now, after more than four decades of inactivity, interest in putting humans back on the Moon is finally heating up again. But who will get there first?
CHINA
On 14 December 2013, China successfully landed its Jade Rabbit rover(探测车)on the Moon. It is now working on its next exploration mission. Named Chang’e 4, the mission is scheduled to touch down in the Aitken Basin near the end of 2018. If successful, it will be the first landing on the Moon’s far side.
RUSSIA
Russia plans a manned Moon landing in 2030. It is currently working on a project whose idea is that the landers will explore the south pole of the Moon, exploring for resources such as minerals and water ice to be used to provide for a human outpost(前哨站).
INDIA
Following the success of its Chandrayaan-1 in 2008, India announced a follow-on mission. Chandrayaan-2 was meant to cooperate with Russia. But when the Russians failed to deliver the promised lander in 2013, India decided to go it alone. Chandrayaan-2 is about to be sent up in 2018.
U. S. A.
In December 2018, NASA plans to send up the Exploration Mission 1, an uncrewed test of their Orion astronaut capsule in which the craft will circle around the Moon before returning to Earth. All being well, a crewed capsule will follow in 2023. Should the mission prove a success, the astronauts will be the first humans to see the far side of the Moon with their own eyes since Apollo 17 in 1972.
1. What will China do in its next space mission?| A．Improve its Jade Rabbit rover. |
| B．Work with other countries. |
| C．Land Chang’e 4 on the Moon. |
| D．Explore the south pole of the Moon. |
| A．It couldn’t find a partner. |
| B．It didn’t get the lander as planned. |
| C．The Russians refused to work with India. |
| D．It planned to launch Chandrayaan-2 in advance. |
| A．Russia. | B．China. | C．India. | D．U. S. A. |
9 . This year, new technologies will enable more drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel （方向盘）while on the road. But that doesn’t mean their cars will be fully self-driving --- that day still remains far in the future.
Automakers like General Motors （GM）, Ford and Stellantis are introducing, or upgrading existing technologies. But in the words of Kay Stepper, an automated driving expert, these systems are "feet off’ and "hands off’, but they will not be "eyes off" or “mind off’.
For the time being, these systems will only be used on limited-access highways, where there are no pedestrians or bicyclists. Vehicles with this technology will be able to drive at relatively high speeds, but only in simple traffic situations.
Bryan Reimer, a researcher with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s AgeLab, said it will be decades before people can buy truly self-driving cars in which humans ride as passengers.
Still, the technology that will be rolled out by the major automakers this year will do more than most so-called Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS, do now.
GM’s Super Cruise system allows drivers to completely let go of the steering wheel while driving on selected highways. It was introduced in 2017 on the Cadillac CT6 sedan, which was discontinued last year. An improved version is coming this year on the Cadillac Escalade SUV and the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 sedans.
Super Cruise only works on highways that have been previously laser-mapped in three dimensions. GPS positioning and the vehicles, radar sensors （传感器）and cameras are used to enable drivers to unhand -- and unfoot — all the controls.
Drivers still need to pay attention, however. A camera in the car makes sure the driver is looking at the road at all times. If the driver looks away from the road for more than a few seconds, the system will stop working.
1. At present, what can the self-driving cars do?| A．They can drive freely on city streets. |
| B．They can run without human drivers. |
| C．They handle complex road conditions on their own. |
| D．They allow drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel. |
| A．GM’s Super Cruise system. | B．GM’s latest car models. |
| C．GM’s development plan. | D．GM’s close competitors. |
| A．People need to trust new technology. |
| B．People still need to pay attention. |
| C．People can look away from the road. |
| D．People can’t unhand all the controls. |
| A．It’s High Time to Get a New Car |
| B．The Industrial Revolution Is Underway |
| C．Super Cruise Does More than Most ADAS |
| D．The Real Self-driving Remains Far Away |
10 . Many college students turn to ADHD（注意缺陷障碍）medicine during the exam week, which is regarded as “smart drugs” that will help their academic（学术的）performance. The thinking is that if the drugs help students with ADHD improve their focus, they should provide the same benefit for people who don’t have the disorder.
But a new study shows that drugs can actually damage brain function of healthy students who take the drug hoping to boost their intelligence. “It’s not a smart drug which will suddenly improve their ability to understand information they read,” said Lisa Weyandt, a professor at the University of Rhode Island.
To test whether this effect is real or not, researchers organized 13 students to take part in two five-hour study sessions（一段时间）in the lab. The students took the standard 30mg ADHD drugs before one session, and a sugar pill before the other. Students on ADHD drugs did experience an increase in their blood pressure and heart rates. “The medicine was having an effect on their brain,” Weyandt said. The students also showed an improvement in their ability to focus, the researchers found.
However, students on ADHD drugs experienced no improvement in reading comprehension, reading fluency or knowledge reviews, compared to when they’d taken a sugar pill. “We read aloud stories to them and asked them to recall information from the stories, ”she said. “That didn’t improve.”
Worse, the ADHD drug actually harms students’ memory. It’s often misused because people pull all-nighters and they’re tired, and they think it’s going to keep them awake. Maybe it does, but it’s certainly not going to help their academic work. The brain is still developing until the mid to late 20s. It’s important to keep it healthy. There’s also a chance that ADHD drugs could endanger a student’s heart health.
1. Why do some college students take ADHD drugs?| A．To improve their sleeping. | B．To get higher marks. |
| C．To make them feel relaxed. | D．To treat brain disorder. |
| A．Analyze. | B．Affect. |
| C．Improve. | D．Understand. |
| A．They became more focused. |
| B．Their blood pressure was reduced. |
| C．Their reading fluency was greatly raised. |
| D．They could remember better and more quickly. |
| A．In a drug instruction. | B．In a biology textbook. |
| C．In a travel magazine. | D．In a news report. |
