2 . Civita, the dying town

Some 120 kilometers north of Rome, street signs along the road tell drivers they’re bound for “the dying town” Civita di Bagnoregio. The village stands on a declining plateau(高原). It has gone through landslides(泥石流), earthquakes, and erosion (腐蚀) since humans’ first settlement about 2, 500 years ago. Nowadays Civita has been reduced to only 90 by 150 meters.

In the Middle Ages, the size of the plateau was three times its size nowadays, and the population was over 3, 000, yet the river surrounding Civita gradually made the town collapse from the bottom up. Since 1695, when a destructive earthquake took place in Civita, many people were forced to escape from their hometown, and the population there has never recovered. By the 1920s, there were merely 600 residents in the town. Currently, there are only about 10 residents. What a small population it has!

The survival of Civita is uncertain. However, as the news that the town was about to disappear started to widely spread, more and more people wanted to visit it. Now up to 10,000 people visit Civita per day. And there is doubt as to whether it is dying. The flood of people and money leads to natives longing for the rescue of the town.

Yet the actual situation in Civita is that there are no grocery stores, hardware, or convenience stores. People living there can only have access to a handful of restaurants and tourist shops. Besides, they have to get supplies through a narrow, 300-meter-long bridge that connects them to the outside world.

Today, Civita is pursuing a UNESCO World Heritage designation, in order to earn official recognition of its landscape and adaptability to nature. Recently, the town presented a 242-page document to the UNESCO, hoping that it will help strengthen Civita’s role as a site of historical and cultural significance. Also, Civitas UNESCO team plans to create tourist attractions in the surrounding towns. If Civita recovers successfully, other towns in the same situation could find a direction based on its experience.

1. What has made Civita become smaller?

A．The inconvenient transport.

B．The natural conditions.

C．The settlement of humans.

D．The decrease of the population.

2. Why do so many visitors flood in Civita every day?

A．Because they want to rescue it.

B．Because they are attracted by its scenery.

C．Because they are interested in its natives.

D．Because they want to catch the last chance to see it.

3. What does Paragraph 4 mainly talk about?

A．The stores in the town.

B．The daily activities of local people.

C．The appearance of the town.

D．The living conditions in the town.

4. Which word can best describe the possible future of Civita?

A．Unchangeable.

B．Hopeful.

C．Disappointing.

D．Doubtful.

3 . When I was a child, my mom liked to make food for dinner every now and then．And I remembered one night in particular when she made dinner after a long, hard day at work．

On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned toast in front of my dad．I remembered waiting to see if anyone noticed．Yet all my dad did was to reach for his toast, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school．I didn't remember what I told him that night, but I did remember watching him smear（涂上）butter on that toast and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remembered hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the toast．And I would never forget what he said, "Baby, I love burnt toast．"

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy goodnight and I asked him if he really liked his toast burned．He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Son, your mom spent a hard day at work today and she's really tired．And besides, a little burnt toast never hurts anyone!"

You know, life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people．I'm not the best housekeeper or cook．What I've learned over the years is that trying to accept faults of each other and choosing to embrace differences of each other are the most important keys to creating a healthy and lasting relationship．

1. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about the author's mom?

A．She was always careless when making toast．

B．Her workday could be long and hard sometimes．

C．She enjoyed making supper for her family at times．

D．She felt soy after serving the burnt toast to her husband．

2. Which of the following best describes the author's dad?

A．Proud and crazy．	B．Thoughtful and caring．
C．Cautious and kind．	D．Generous and patient．

3. What do we know from the last paragraph?

A．Everyone is supposed to go after perfection in life．

B．A person can't be both a good housekeeper and a good cook．

C．More tolerance and understanding help people stay in good heath．

D．Accepting faults and differences is important for an impressive relationship．

4 . What will restaurants look like in the future? What would your dinner taste like if a robot cooked it? A robot restaurant in Tianjin may give you the answers. Covering an area of over 400 square meters with a total of 112 seats, the X Future Restaurant is a robot restaurant opened in November 2018. The restaurant has amazed customers with its fully automated(全自动的) technology, which covers every step of the dining experience, from ordering to cooking to serving the dishes and even taking payment.

Entering the restaurant, one can order dishes by simply scanning(扫描)the QR codes on the table. There are over 40 choices of dishes. After taking the order, “robot cooks” prepare dishes using fixed time, temperature and ingredients designed by famous Chinese cooks.

“As the cooking is controlled by a computer system, the taste and quality of dishes can be good,” said Li Xiaokui, manager of the X Future Restaurant.

Robots also complete the delivery of dishes. Without following any designed route, the robot waiters serve meals thanks to automated driving technology, which helps each robot timely change its route when something is in the way.

These eye-catching technologies have received wide praise from customers. “The dishes taste surprisingly good. I couldn't believe that they were made by robots, especially dishes that were difficult to cook.” one customer said. “The application of robots has increased our efficiency(效率)and cut down our costs,” Li said, “I think robot restaurants will develop fast and have a bright future.”

1. What do we know about the X Future Restaurant?

A．It covers over 112 square meters with 400 seats.

B．Robot waiters deliver dishes following fixed routes.

C．Customers could enjoy fully-automated services.

D．Robot cooks design dishes by themselves.

2. The dishes in the X Future Restaurant are____________.

A．prepared by human cooks	B．ordered by scanning QR codes
C．not accepted by customers	D．not easy for robots to prepare

3. What is Li's attitude toward the future of robot restaurants?

A．Hopeful.	B．Doubtful.
C．Puzzled.	D．Worried.

5 . Columbus College, 241 Queen Elizabeth Drive, Kowloon City

Memo

To, All Staff

From: Jakie Mok, Secretary; Sports Development Committee

Date: May 20, 2010

A week ago, “Sports for Life” programme was sent to parents, requiring them to select a sport they wanted their child to play. Since then, our staff have received lots of calls from parents asking for more information about it. Here is a memo (备忘录) for your reference when you answer the phones.

Sport1: Basketball

We expect that this will be the most popular of the four sports. Therefore, students should be advised to sign up as soon as possible. Students will take a private bus to and from Kwun Tong Sports Park. To cover the cost of hiring a bus, each student will have to pay $10 each time. There will be four basketball courts available for our use with one teacher watching over each game.

Sport 2: Gym

We will be using St Peter’s Memorial Park. There are two reasons for choosing this park. First, it is not very busy and crowded before 6:00pm.Second, it has a lot of trees with plenty of shade. Students must bring along two bottles of water to prevent thirst. Three activities, skipping, jogging, outdoor aerobics (有氧运动), all of which are free of charge, will be arranged. And there will be a teacher on duty for each of the activities.

Sport 3: Hiking

Hiking (远足) will take place at Kowloon Peak. The activity will start at 2:30 pm and finish 90 minutes later. Three teachers will accompany the students, and a hiking instructor will accompany each group of 15 hikers. Each instructor will cost $75/hr. Students are advised to bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

Sport 4: Swimming

The Kowloon City Aquatic Centre is a 10-minute walk from our school.Four teachers will go to the pool and conduct the goings-on from the poolside. We will only be able to reserve the pool for one hour (i.e.2:45pm to 3: 45 pm). Only students skilful at swimming can take up this activity. The pool will have two lifeguards present. Girls must wear a swimming suit. The cost is $10 per visit.

1. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．Students participating in gym should arrive at 6:00 pm.

B．Students selecting basketball had better register early.

C．Hiking usually begins at 2:30 pm and lasts two hours.

D．Students having swimming suits can take up swimming.

2. It can be concluded that________.

A．each sport will take only one hour	B．students will be charged for the four sports
C．teachers will accompany students on each sport	D．all the sports will take place at Kowloon Peak

3. The purpose of the memo is to________.

A．attract students’ interest in the programme

B．require the parents to select a sport for their child

C．help the staff explain the programme to the parents

D．remind teachers and lifeguards to be present on time

6 . Whatever your level is, choosing to take French lessons in France is the best way to learn French. Place yourself in the local culture and practice your newly found skills in your free time.

You will be taught by native French speakers who have a love for teaching and use excellent teaching techniques. Lessons are interesting and you will speak French on the first day both inside and outside the classroom.

Learners

1.Suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced (高级的)

2.Over 18 years old

Class Schedule (课表)

1.Classes start on Mondays and run throughout the summer.

2.Please arrive at the school by 8:15 am on your first day for a short level test. It will help to place you in the right class.

3.Classes run from Monday to Friday each week.

4.Classes start at 8:45 am each day depending on your level.

5.You will have 3 classes per day lasting 55 minutes each.

6.You will have a short break between classes.

Free Time and Tours

1.The school offers a lot of cultural activities throughout the week. These activities can include cooking lessons, wine and cheese tasting, visits to Paris, cycling, movies and much more.

2.You will have plenty of free time to explore (探索) the local area and practice your newly found language skills or just relax on this learning holiday with a difference.

Other Information

1.You should bring a small dictionary, pens and paper with you.

2.Get more from your holiday, have fun, meet new people and take home a new language skill that will stay with you forever.

1. What is special about the French courses?

A．They are taught in small groups.	B．The teachers are young French speakers.
C．They will offer a wine tasting license.	D．People learn French in and out of class.

2. On the first day, the students should ______.

A．pay for their study	B．take a language test
C．do a survey	D．introduce themselves to the class

3. How many lessons are there in a week?

A．21.

B．30.

C．12.

D．15.

4. We can learn from the text that the course ______.

A．is not suitable for teenagers	B．provides dictionaries for students
C．has a short game between classes	D．offers cooking classes as well

5. You can most probably read the passage in ______.

A．a newspaper

B．a travel guide

C．a text book

D．a story book

7 . Winston Churchill was born into a famous family. His father was a successful politician.

However, as a boy, Churchill was considered a slow learner in school.

Later he entered the Army and saw action in various countries.

In October 1900, Churchill began his political career. For the next sixty years Churchill’s work as a great politician was both brighter and more difficult than his father had been.

In 1939, Germany attacked Poland. Churchill prepared to fight. In 1940 he became the Prime Minster of England.

France fell. The Germans fought their way through Western Europe. It looked as if Britain was about to lose the war. Was it not possible to ask for peace, and listen to Hitler?

Churchill spoke, “I have nothing to offer but blood, hard work, tears and sweat(汗)….You ask what is our policy(政策)? I will tell you, it is to fight, by sea, by land and air, with all our force and with all the strength that God can give us. You ask what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory.”

The Germans began moving their armies to the French coast and prepared to go to war with the British. The British had not enough guns to go round. Churchill gave the answer: “We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the coasts, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the field and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, we shall never give up.”

By his courage and hard work Churchill heartened his people and other nations fighting together against Hitler. Victory finally came when the Germans lost World War II.

Churchill died in 1965 and was given a State Funeral(国葬). This was a fitting payment to one of all the greatest men the world had ever seen.

1. Churchill ______ before he became a politician.

A．was a slow student	B．was an army man
C．helped his father in his career(职业；生涯)	D．had little interest in politics

2. The Germans attacked Britain ________.

A．after France was defeated	B．before French fell
C．soon after Poland was attacked	D．before Churchill became the Prime Minister

3. The underlined word “heartened” probably means ________ in this passage.

A．surprised

B．encouraged

C．asked for

D．called for

4. Which of the following is NOT true?

A．Churchill had worked as a politician for more than sixty years.

B．The writer admired and respected Churchill very much.

C．Churchill was not so clever as his father.

D．Churchill was one of the most inspiring, brave and wise leaders in the British history.

5. We can infer from the passage that ________.

A．finally Hitler had to give in to Churchill

B．Churchill asked to be given a State Funeral before he died

C．countries which won World War II held a State Funeral in honor of the statesman

D．Churchill was a man of great determination

8 . Summer Leadership Camp

Each July, Missouri Military Academy’s Summer Leadership Camp welcomes young men from across the country to train, compete and learn. The summer camp experience is a rewarding opportunity for young people to learn leadership skills.

Rein Community Service

Join Rein Community Service and earn up of 80 hours of community service credit this summer. Choose the community service program that is right for you and have a lasting influence on the lives of others. Through their work with various non­profit agencies and volunteer organizations, our teen community service volunteers will experience the joy of improving the global community while having the adventure of a lifetime.

Green River Preserve

Green River Preserve is a non­competitive summer camp connecting children to nature. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Green River Preserve inspires campers to have a greater understanding of themselves, their environment and their fellow man.

English Language Camp

At the camp, children will build their confidence while also acquiring the basic skills of conversation, vocabulary and grammar. Our class sizes are small, allowing every child to receive the required personal attention from our fully qualified and professional teachers who all have a wealth of experience in coaching children from all around the world.

1. Missouri Military Academy’s Summer Leadership Camp is mainly designed for young people who ________.

A．want to be soldiers	B．like to compete with others
C．want to develop leadership skills	D．are not good at expressing themselves

2. At Rein Community Service, children can learn to be ________.

A．confident	B．competitive
C．loving and caring	D．strong and brave

3. Which camp should a child choose if he wants to be close to nature?

A．Summer Leadership Camp.	B．Rein Community Service.
C．Green River Preserve.	D．English Language Camp.

9 . When I was in my first year of high school, I had a terrible time when every area of my life was a disaster. I felt so hopeless and alone that I thought everything was impossible.

On one such day, I was walking from class across the school to catch the school bus home, with my head down, fighting tears of total hopelessness, when a young man came down the sidewalk toward me. Though I had never seen him before, I did not want him to see that I was in such low spirits, so I turned my head away and hoped to hurry past. I thought he'd walk on by, but he moved until he was directly in front of me, waited until I looked up, and then smiled.

Looking into my eyes, this stranger spoke in a quiet voice："Whatever is wrong will pass. You're going to be OK, just hang on." He then smiled again and walked away.

I can't explain the effect of that man's unexpected kindness and caring! He gave me the one thing that I'd lost completely—hope. I looked for him in our school to thank him, but never saw him again.

That was thirty years ago. And I've never forgotten that moment. Over the years, whenever I see someone who is in trouble, I will always think of that young man and try to give a flash of hope in the dark wherever I can. I carry things for people when they are too heavy for them, sit with naughty babies in the waiting room while their mothers are busy, or talk to tired couples at the checkout line or it could be anything.

If you keep your head up, your heart will show you the place that needs hope.
1. Where did the writer meet with the young man？

A．In the school.

B．In the school bus.

C．In the classroom.

D．In the library.

2. From the passage we may infer that the author ________．

A．had known the young man for a long time

B．made friends with the young man afterwards

C．was grateful to that young man very much

D．avoided meeting the young man since then

3. The author has given a lot of help to others in order to ________．

A．show his sympathy to those who are badly ill

B．give others hope of life when they are in trouble

C．realize his promise made to the young man

D．get respect from those who were helped by him

4. It can be known from the passage that ________．

A．the young man always tried his best to help those who were in trouble

B．it was the young man's smile and words that made the author feel hopeful

C．the author had never been praised by others before he met with the young man

D．the author traveled to a lot of places to look for the young man but failed

10 . It’s always nice to have a little help around the house. But what if you could employ the assistance of one of the greatest minds of the 20th century？

That’s the idea behind a new robot modeled after Albert Einstein. Called Professor Einstein and standing at just over a foot tall, this personal assistant can tell you the weather and keep track of your schedule like any other robots. With built-in Wi-Fi, Einstein robot has access to brain ceasing games, and can answer math problems and science questions. With natural language speech processing, you can actually interact with Professor Einstein. And because the robot is connected to the Internet, it is constantly updated with new information.

To help get the perfect replica（复制品）of Einstein, the Hong Kong-based tech company Hanson Robotics turned to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the home of the Albert Einstein archives（档案）. “We worked very closely with them to bring the product co marker,” the company’s Dr. Jeanne Lim said.

Einstein robot was introduced to the public at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and was quickly hailed by those who saw it. “He became one of the breakout stars of the convention,” wrote Melia Robinson on Business Insider. “Crowds flooded into the company to have a look at the little guy.”

“Technology is often now very cold and socially isolating（孤立的）,” explained David Hanson, the co-founder of the company behind the new robot, “By bringing an lively character into our physical world, we’re humanizing（使人性化）the technology instead of dehumanizing the humans.”

As for Hanson Robotics, the company has been building human-size robots for over a decade. But this marks the company’s first commercially available product. “Professor Einstein is just the start,” said Hanson. “We’re witnessing the arrival of conversational robots that can walk in our world. It’s a golden age of invention.”

1. What can Einstein robot do？

A．Teach you to learn any new language.

B．Have a regular conversation with you.

C．Design a number of science questions.

D．Keep track of other robots constantly.

2. Which of the following best explains “hailed” underlined in paragraph 4？

A．Broken.	B．Improved.
C．ignored.	D．Praised.

3. What can be inferred from David Hanson’s words？

A．He expects humans to be less isolated from robots.

B．He dreams of humanizing humans through invention.

C．He worries about a golden age for conversational robots.

D．He stays hopeful about the future of robot invention.

4. What can be a suitable title for the text?

A．A New Robot Makes Humans Much Happier

B．The Golden Age of Invention Is Approaching

C．Albert Einstein Changes into an Assistant

D．Albert Einstein Helps to Humanize Robots