1 . I woke up with drool (口水) on my pillow this morning. The alarm clock rang, and I reached over to turn it off. As I laid my face back down on the pillow, I felt the wet drool on my pillow case. I opened my eyes and saw a smiling, panting (喘气的), furry face gazing down at me. I tried to get up, but she was too fast. My face was suddenly covered in kisses with one going straight up my nose and another right in my ear. I laughed, reached out and picked up the eight-pound love machine and held her away from my wet face. It was just another morning in a life with dogs.
Why do we welcome them into our homes and our hearts? We know that most likely we are going to outlive them and have our hearts broken when they age quickly and pass away after ten to fifteen years. We know that there will be vet bills, flea baths and enough fur to make a vacuum cleaner cry. We know that our ears will ring from the barking, that we will be picking up the animal waste every single day and that we will never get to finish a full sandwich again.
Yet, when we are feeling down or blue, there will always be a soft head on our lap needing to be pet. When we get home after a long day’s work, there will be a happy face at the door waiting for us. Our lives will be full of balls to throw, bellies to scratch, and love and loyalty that will warm our hearts and uplift our souls.
For thousands of years, dogs have been our best friends. They remain one of the greatest gifts life has ever given us. Even if they can’t love us for the rest of our lives, they will always love us for all of theirs.
1. What’s the meaning of the underlined word “outlive” in Paragraph 2?| A．Hate. | B．Survive. | C．Donate. | D．Kill. |
| A．The dog slept in the writer’s bed last night. |
| B．The dog wakes up the writer every morning. |
| C．The writer will keep the dog company for about 50 years. |
| D．The writer enjoys the dog’s company despite the trouble. |
| A．Neutral. | B．Negative. | C．Favourable. | D．Indifferent. |
2 . Last Sunday I made a visit to some new neighbors down the block. No specific in mind, just an opportunity to sit at the kitchen table, have some tea and chat. As I did so, it occurred to me how rare the Sunday visit has become.
When I was a kid in New Jersey of the 1960s, Sunday visits were routine (惯例). Most stores were closed, almost nobody worked, and the highways, as a result, were not so crowded as they have become today. My family normally traveled eight city blocks to the home of my grandmother, where adults would sit on the front porch and chat while we children played hide-and-seek.
The Sunday visit was something to desire strongly, because everyone seemed to be on the same schedule, which means that there was one day when everyone seemed to have time for everybody else.
Sunday as a day of rest is, or was, so deeply rooted in the culture that it’s surprising to find that, in a short span of time, it has almost entirely lost this association. In my childhood, it was assumed that everyone would either be home or visiting someone else’s home on Sunday. But now the question is, “What do you plan to do this Sunday?” The answer can range from going to the mall, to participating in a road race, to Montreal for lunch. If one were to respond, “I’m making a Sunday visit to family,” such an answer would feel strange, which seems like something from ages ago.
1. The writer’s general impression of the Sunday in the past was a day when________.| A．everyone seemed to be free for others |
| B．everyone was paying a visit to some relatives far away |
| C．adults would go to church and children weren’t at school |
| D．Dad was not at work while Mom was busy cleaning the house |
| A．visiting someone on Sunday was only a routine |
| B．people nowadays prefer staying at home on Sunday |
| C．such answers are hardly heard in our modern society |
| D．people in the city dislike being disturbed on Sunday |
| A．Thankful. | B．Confused. | C．Respectful. | D．Unsatisfied. |
3 . Your best friend that follows you around when the sun comes out - your shadow - doesn’t serve an important function like your heart or brain, but what if you could use shadows to create electricity? When using solar panels (电池板) that are powered by light, shadows can be boring because it means electricity can’t be created. However, researchers from the National University of Singapore have engineered a way to create power from the shadows present everywhere.
A team of the university created a machine that can collect energy from shadows. It is created by placing a thin coating of gold onto silicon (硅). Like in a normal solar panel, when put in light, the silicon electrons (电子) become energized and the energized electrons then jump from the silicon to the gold. The voltage (电压) of the part of the machine that is placed in the light increases relative to the dark part and the electrons in the machine flow from high to low voltage. They are sent through an external circuit (外电路) creating a current that can be used to power another machine. The greater the contrast between light and dark, more energy is provided by the machine.
The team is working on improving the performance of the machine, borrowing approaches from solar panels to gather light. Increasing the amount of light the machines can receive allows them to better make use of shadows, as well as developing shadow energy collecting panels that can successfully gather from indoor lighting. The team is also researching the use of other materials other than gold to drop the price of the machine, meaning they would be more cost effective and easier to apply in society.
Shadows are present everywhere and perhaps one day in the future we will be able to collect energy from them by placing the shadow-effect energy machine around the world in places that have been considered unfit for solar panels to work, or indoors. “A lot of people think that shadows are useless,” Tan says, but “anything can be useful, even shadows.”
1. What is Paragraph 1 mainly about?| A．Your best friend always stays with you after the sunrise. |
| B．The shadow has the same function as the heart and brain. |
| C．Shadows can stop solar panels from creating electricity. |
| D．Researchers have found a way to create power from shadows. |
| A．The silicon produces electricity when it is in the light. |
| B．The gold produces power with the help of the silicon. |
| C．The energized electrons flow from high to low voltage. |
| D．An external circuit creates current using another machine. |
| A．Using solar panels in the machine. |
| B．Increasing the amount of light received. |
| C．Developing light energy collecting panels. |
| D．Bringing down the price of gold. |
| A．A gym. | B．A park. | C．A farm. | D．A playground. |
4 . Was your school noisy or peaceful? It might not seem important, but a growing body of research suggests that sounds can have an impact on learning, performance and creativity.
Whether background sounds are beneficial or not seems to depend on what kind of noise it is—and the volume. In a series of studies published last year, Ravi Mehta from the College of Business at Illinois and his colleagues tested people's creativity while exposed to a soundtrack made up of background noises—such as coffee-shop chatter and construction-site drilling—at different volumes. They found that people were more creative when the background noises were played at a medium level than when volume was low. Loud background noise, however, damaged their creativity.
This makes sense for a couple of reasons, says psychologist Dr Nick Perham, at Cardiff Metropolitan University in the UK, who studies the effect of sounds on learning but was not involved in the study. Firstly, he says, sounds that are most disturbing tend to be very variable. A general hum(嗡嗡声)in the background suggests a steady-state sound with not much variation. "So there's not much there to capture your attention- nothing disturbing the subjects," he says. At the same time, the background noise might cause the subjects to be in a slightly heightened state of arousal(觉醒), says Perham. "Medium arousal is best for good performance. So it might be that a general hum in the background gives an ideal level of arousal. " With that in mind, Perham suggests there may be some benefits to playing music or other sounds in an art class or other situations where creativity is key.
Many teachers all over the world already play music to students in class. Many are inspired by the belief that hearing music can improve IQ in tasks, the so-called Mozart effect. While the evidence actually suggests it's a stretch to say classical music improves brainpower, researchers do think pleasant sounds before a task can sometimes lift your mood and help you perform well, says Perham, who has done his own studies on the phenomenon. The key appears to be that you enjoy what you're hearing. "If you like the music or you like the sound—even listening to a Stephen King novel -then you did better. It didn't matter about the music," he says.
1. Which of the following is true according to the studies by Ravi Mehta and Nick Perham?| A．It's better not to expose people to any background noise while at work. |
| B．Construction-site drilling should be forbidden where there is a school. |
| C．Noises will harm people's health however low their volumes are. |
| D．A certain level of noise may do good to people's creativity. |
| A．keep the classroom quiet |
| B．play music at a steady and medium volume |
| C．broadcast classical music |
| D．vary the volume of the music constantly |
| A．prove the usefulness of pleasing sounds |
| B．confirm the belief of Mozart effect |
| C．challenge the importance of soft music |
| D．cast doubt on the power of music in raising IQ |
| A．Learning Power: Noise and Music Work |
| B．Noise Meeting Music: A Blessing? |
| C．Noise or Music: Creativity in Danger |
| D．Brainpower: More Music and Less Noise |
5 . What is the most recognizable object in the world? Could it be a football or a big computer? No, the answer is a Coca-Cola bottle. Hundreds of millions of people can recognize a Coke bottle by its shape. Unlike any other famous commercial logo, the famous Coca-Cola logo has not changed in 100 years!
In 1886, John Pemberton, a druggist in Atlanta, Georgia, invented a new type of syrup (糖浆), using coca leaves, sugar and cola nuts, plus a few other secret ingredients. Pemberton sold it as a medicine; and with coca (the source of cocaine), it must have made people feel good! Nevertheless, Pemberton's medicine was not very successful, so he sold his secret formula (配方) to another druggist, Asa Candler, Candler was interested, because he had another idea; he thought that Pemberton's "medicine" would be much better if it was mixed with soda. Candler was thus the man who really invented the drink Coca-Cola. At first he sold it in his drugstore; then he began selling the syrup to other drugstores, where it was used with their soda fountains. Candler also advertised his new drink, and soon people were going to drugstores just to get a drink of Coca-Cola. Before long. other people became interested in the product, including a couple of businessmen who wanted to sell it in bottles. Candler sold them a license to bottle the drink, and very quickly the men became millionaires. Then in 1916 the famous bottle, with its very distinctive shape, was designed.
During the First World War (1914-1918), American soldiers in Europe began asking for Coca-Cola, so the Coca-Cola company began to export it to Europe. It was so popular with soldiers that they then had to start bottling the drink in Europe. Today. Coca-Cola is made all over the world, including Russia and China; it is the world's most popular drink.
As for the famous formula, it is probably the world's most valuable secret! The exact ingredients for making Coca-Cola are only known to a handful of people. And as for the coca that was in the original drink, it was removed in 1903, for it was a dangerous drug. Today's Coca-Cola contains caffeine, not cocaine!
1. What is the second paragraph mainly about?| A．The key ingredient of Coca-Cola. |
| B．The distinctive shape of Coca-Cola bottle. |
| C．The ever-changing logo of Coca-Cola. |
| D．The development of Coca-Cola. |
| A．John Pemberton. | B．Asa Candler. |
| C．An American soldier. | D．A couple of businessmen. |
| A．The formula of Coca-Cola is still a well-kept secret. |
| B．The ingredients for making Coca-Cola is of great value. |
| C．Coca wasn't removed from the drink until the First World War. |
| D．Caffeine has the same effect on patients as cocaine. |
| A．A biology textbook. | B．A life magazine. |
| C．A research paper. | D．A travel brochure. |
6 . Sleeping is important, but we all know that, right? Many people have experienced strange sleeping patterns, unusual dreams and a feeling of restlessness and sleepiness during the coronavirus lockdown, despite a good night’s sleep. So what sort of things can help you to improve your sleep?
Wrong Habits
Many myths related to sleep can be quite damaging for our health. Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher famously claimed that she only hit the sack for five hours a night. But according to experts this is harmful to health.
Likewise, falling asleep in front of the TV is another thing to avoid. The bright lights can prevent you from entering deep sleep.
Wrong Ways to Help Go to Sleep
From a young age we’re told to count sheep to help us to nod off, with some choosing to stay in bed to battle with insomnia (失眠). However, some experts advise getting up and doing something mindless, like folding socks, to help us get in the mood to catch forty winks.
Psychologist Seth J. Gillihan PhD. recommends walking to help in the battle against insomnia. He talks about a sleep study published in the journal Sleep Health which suggests that those who walk slightly more will experience better quality and length of sleep. Watching what you eat or drink can also improve the amount of REM, or rapid eye movement you experience.
Snoring (打鼾)Can be Dangerous
If you’re a snorer, you might also want to take note. While most breathing noisily is harmless, it could be a sign of sleep apnoea, with people suffering from the condition more likely to have strokes or heart attacks, irregular heartbeats or high blood pressure.
A Short Sleep during the Day May Refresh You
Finally, decent nap, or even- power nap, can help you to be more alert, calm and focused. So while there are some good tips like exercising or folding socks to help us get a good night’s sleep, sometimes a good afternoon’s sleep can help us deal with the day ahead.
1. Why do some people still feel tired and sleepy in spite of having a good night sleep according to the passage?| A．They have slept for too long. |
| B．Their sleeping quality needs improving. |
| C．Their dream should be nice and happy. |
| D．Coronavirus lockdown makes them depressed. |
| A．Hitting the sack is bad for health. |
| B．Five hours is not enough for people to keep fit. |
| C．The bright lights of TV will stop people sleeping soundly. |
| D．Margaret Thatcher didn’t have a healthy sleeping habit. |
| A．Snoring will surely result in damage to people’s health. |
| B．When one is sleepy, quick eye movements increase. |
| C．A decent nap will affect your night sleep |
| D．Taking exercise may do good to your afternoon sleep. |
| A．a psychology textbook |
| B．a medical essay collection |
| C．a health and care section in a newspaper |
| D．an advertising leaflet in a drug store |
7 . A roadside system that detects if a mobile phone is in use in a passing vehicle is being tested in the UK first. Despite being unable to tell whether the driver is using the phone, it is hoped that it will act as a warning to people who make calls behind the wheel. The technology picks up the phone signal in the vehicle and activates(激活) a roadside warning sign of a mobile phone with a red line through it.
The system can’t tell the difference between a driver and a passenger on a bus, but to some degree it can warn drivers that they can be detected using their phones. Using a directional antenna(天线)，the detector picks up radio waves produced by a phone handset , and measures the signal strength and length of them. When a signal is detected of duration(持续时间) long enough and signal strength strong enough to set off the system， the detector activates the warning sign. The detector is able to distinguish Bluetooth connections or hands- free devices which, when picked up，will prevent the activation.
While this new system is no replacement for a police officer catching someone in the act， it could be enough to make some drivers think twice- and that has to be a positive step forward. However, just as technology has enabled the problem of drivers using mobile phones illegally, it can also be a big part of the solution in getting people to stop. Statistics from the devices will be shared with Norfolk Police， the county council said. The council said that enabling the system to record specific number plates could be a“future development”.
Using a mobile phone at the wheel is one of the four road crimes which can have horrible consequences if it causes a deadly or serious car crash. Law enforcement(执行) technology has been falling behind for a decade and not made any easier by motor producers that encourage users to plug in their phones even before driving.
1. What is the function of the roadside system according to Paragraph 1?| A．To collect information for future use. |
| B．To send out cellphone signals to drivers. |
| C．To detect passengers' wrong use of phones. |
| D．To warn people against using pones while driving. |
| A．It measures the length of the phone. |
| B．It warns drivers with a phone in hand. |
| C．It picks up radio waves from handsets. |
| D．It activates the vehicle's Bluetooth system. |
| A．Swift to Bluetooth while driving. |
| B．Have a close watch of road signs. |
| C．Avoid being picked up by detectors. |
| D．Stop using a hands- free mobile phone. |
| A．Share the devices with the police. |
| B．Make the system more advanced. |
| C．Replace the police with the new system. |
| D．Take steps to settle road safety problems. |
8 . Was it probable that Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai and Western hero King Arthur meet and fight against each other? Yes. In a game called King of Glory (王者荣耀). Created by Chinese company Tencent, King of Glory was one of the most popular MOBA games in China in 2017.
About one in every seven Chinese people plays the game,and 55 million of them play it every day. The game is easy for beginners.Social media like QQ and WeChat have also helped the game's community grow. New players can be invited to play the game by their WeChat contacts, with some seeing it as a good way to keep in touch with old friends and make new ones.
The game has more than 60 characters to unlock and play as you progress,each with their own special style and abilities. The characters cover different times and countries. Some are real historical characters,like Li Bai. Some are not. Players use them to fight against each other or team up to fight. The winners can reach higher ranks.
However, some people think King of Glory gives the students incorrect information about events and people in history. For example,the poet Li Bai is described as a killer; Jing Ke,the man who tried to kill the first emperor of China, is a girl in the game. But more people worry about children playing the game too much and spending too much money on it. Most of the players are below the age of 19. It's reported that a 17-year-old boy had a stroke (中风) after playing the game for 40 hours.
To change the situation,Tencent added a time limit feature to the game to prevent kids from playing too much. From July 4,2017,children under 12 years old can play the game for only one hour a day,while users between 12 and 18 get two hours. Those who try to play beyond the time limit will be locked out of the game.
1. Which of the following is TRUE about King of Glory?| A．It is the most popular online game in the world. |
| B．It offers 60 characters for players to choose from. |
| C．Players fight against each other or team up to fight. |
| D．All of the characters are real historical characters. |
| A．In a comic (漫画) book. | B．In a travel guidebook. |
| C．In a newspaper. | D．In a storybook. |
| A．Children play the game too long and spend too much money. |
| B．The game give children incorrect information about history. |
| C．The game receives a lot of praises. |
| D．Many people don't think the game is so good. |
| A．King of Glory 一 easy for anyone to play |
| B．King of Glory 一 popular around the world |
| C．King of Glory 一 adding a time limit |
| D．King of Glory 一 inviting you to play |
9 . The Islands of Hawaii
☆Hawaii
The “Big Island” of Hawaii is a paradise (天堂)playground where visitors can enjoy a popular lifestyle and at the same time, witness the attraction of nature: Thousands of square miles form a wonderland, featuring breathtaking beaches, forests, snow-covered mountains and amazing active volcanoes. A visit to Volcanoes National Park, which has been described as a true wonder of the world, is a must. It is the state's biggest attraction.
Accommodations:
Seasons Resort Hualalai: from $ 205.00
Fairmont Orchid: from $108.00
Sightseeing and Experiences:
Circle Island Tour:from $48.00
☆Kauai
The beautiful landscape of Kauai has led to it being called the “Garden Isle” , but it is also referred to as the “Island of discovery”, and with good reason------a land of striking natural contrasts just waiting to be explored. Green mountains, a breathtaking coastline and white sand beaches combine to make it one of the world's most relaxing locations.
Accommodations:
Grand Hyatt Kauai: from $101.00
Sheraton Kauai Resort: from $ 79.00
☆Maui
Voted the “World's Best Island”, Maui is widely regarded as one of the most romantic destinations on earth.
It is known as the “Valley Isle” and was the ancient playground for Hawaiian royalty. The island is largely rural with a small and wonderful population and a host of attractions and nature wonders.
Accommodations:
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa: from $87.00
Sheraton Maui: from $99.00
☆Oahu
Oahu has a unique rhythm, filling the air with sweet fragrances (香气)，music and language：from lovely beaches and amazing nightlife to beautiful rainforests and quiet valleys. Adventure, history, romance, discovery------Oahu waits for you.
Accommodations:
Halekulani: from $121.00
Hilton Hawaiian Village: from $73.00
Sightseeing and Experiences:
Royal Circle Island Tour: from $34.00
Paradise Cove Lu'au: $44.00
All prices are based on per person per night.
1. What is the biggest attraction in Hawaii?| A．Garden Isle. |
| B．Royal Circle Island Tour. |
| C．Volcanoes National Park. |
| D．Sheraton Kauai Resort. |
| A．$73.00 | B．$146.00 | C．$136.00 | D．$292.00 |
| A．tell differences among islands in Hawaii |
| B．provide a better understanding of the geography of Hawaii |
| C．offer accommodation services to the tourists |
| D．attract people to make a visit to Hawaii |
10 . “Be proud of what you do,” my father always told me, “whether you are a boss or a cleaner.” When I was 15, I got a summer job in a hospital. I was told that my duties would include sweeping floors. I smiled and remembered Dad's words. Even though my job was the lowest, it made me feel excited. I saw it as a challenge because it was my first job. I learned to be on time and tried to do everything well. In return, I was treated with respect by doctors, nurses and patients. Each morning I imagined that the dirty dishes would make patients more sick if I were not there to wash them clean. After breakfast was done, I started sweeping the floors of all patient rooms and cleaning the toilets. Though I was tired, I wanted the job to be done well. Hearing people say “That young boy really does a good job”, I was filled with pride.
Working in the hospital taught me that being proud of one's job is important. It does not matter whether the job is sweeping floors or managing a large business. Through every job I have ever had, my father's words have always stayed with me. I was a good cleaner, and now I'm a good manager. I think Dad would be proud of me all the time.
1. The writer's first job was a ________.| A．boss | B．manager |
| C．cleaner | D．doctor |
| A．Washing dishes. | B．Looking after patients. |
| C．Cleaning toilets. | D．Sweeping the floor. |
| A．worked hard | B．wasn't tired |
| C．made the patients sick | D．did everything |
| A．the writer's father always stayed with him |
| B．the father didn't like the writer's first job |
| C．the writer wasn't proud of his first job |
| D．the father's words encouraged the writer to do everything well |
