1 . Sevenhugs HugOne
Do you want to improve the quality of your sleep? Sevenhugs has created HugOne that tracks different sleep patterns to help families consistently rest better. There are dozens of devices and tools devoted to monitoring the sleep. But, HugOne is the world’s first family smart home sleep system, which integrates a calculation rule for sleep patterns of children and adults.
HugOne is a well-designed product, full of a sense of science and technology. It connects to a number of smaller sensors called “minihugs”, which are placed on the edge of each bed. They monitor the sleep patterns and other data coming from the person sleeping in that bed. The data are then sent to an app on the smartphone.
● The benefits of HugOne include:
* Having a smart alarm clock on the app as HugOne learns your sleep cycle and automatically sets and sounds to when the best moment in your sleep cycle is identified.
* Monitoring temperature and humidity in your bedroom as well as indoor air quality for the main living space.
* Linking with smart lamps and thermostats, allowing users to fall asleep with sunset light and preferred nighttime temperatures, and wake up to sunrise light and preferred daytime temperatures.
* Ensuring safety from electronic transmissions when you sleep-when the minihug senses a presence in bed, it shuts off its electronic transmissions and starts recording sleep data and sending them to the app.
● The following are selected from customers’ comments:
I prefer HugOne, since it’s convenient to use. I simply place the minihug in the corner of my bed under the sheet and it goes to work monitoring my sleep cycle. It’s really good.
—Robert Compton
● HugOne available for purchase includes:
I think HugOne is a humanized product. It’s shareable, and I’ve connected eight minihugs to the HugOne base in my house. All my family members think highly of it.
—Chris Hanawalt
HugOne will provide maximum protection for your sleep. If you want to get more detailed information, please call the sellers at 1-800-576-1899 or visit devicesforbettersleep.com.
Style: Sleep Tracking System ＋ 2 Sleep Sensors
Colour: Blue ＋ Rose
1. How does HugOne effectively work?| A．It controls sleep patterns automatically. | B．It creates smart systems for a better sleep. |
| C．It collects sleep data through the minihugs. | D．It makes a calculation of the data sensors need. |
| A．adjust temperature, humidity and air quality in bedrooms |
| B．update the sleep cycles by aid of an alarm clock on the app |
| C．record sleep data when there are electronic transmissions in bed |
| D．help users fall asleep and wake up naturally with preferred temperatures |
| A．providing statistics | B．drawing a comparison |
| C．giving a demonstration | D．using recommendations |
2 . It’s almost spring, the time of year when the change in seasons could lead to some pretty fascinating cloud activity in the sky. NASA and the GLOBE Program are inviting you to take part in a citizen science cloud observation challenge.
The GLOBE Program is an international science and education program providing the public with the opportunity to participate in the scientific process. From March 15 through April 15, citizen scientists can make up to 10 cloud observations per day using the GLOBE Observer app or one of the other data entry options (for trained GLOBE members). Challenge participants with the most observations will be congratulated by a NASA scientist in a video posted on the GLOBE Program’s website and social media.
“The GLOBE Program is offering this challenge to show how important it is to NASA to have citizen scientist observations from ground up,” said Marile Colon Robles, lead for the GLOBE Clouds team at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
Researchers use and value this citizen science cloud data because it helps confirm data from Earth-observing instruments.
Scientists at Langley work with a set of six instruments known as the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES). Even though CERES’ instruments use advanced technology, it is not always easy for researchers to positively identify all types of clouds in their images.
For example, it can be difficult to tell thin, wispy cirrus clouds (细小的卷云) from snow, since both are cold and bright; it is even more so when cirrus clouds are above a surface with patchy snow (片状雪) or snow cover. One solution is to look at satellite images from a particular area and compare them to data submitted by citizen scientists on the ground.
“Looking at what an observer recorded as clouds and looking at their surface observations really helps us better understand the images that were matched from the satellite,” said Colon Robles.
You don’t have to be a cloud-gazing professional to participate. For those who want to be part of the challenge but don’t have a lot of experience identifying clouds, Colon Robles offers the following advice: “Just go outside. The more clouds you observe, the more comfortable you’ll be collecting data.”
1. What does the author intend to do in paragraph 1?| A．Provide background information. |
| B．Present an argument. |
| C．Attract readers’ attention. |
| D．Offer advice to readers. |
| A．The GLOBE Program is badly short of hands. |
| B．The technology CERES uses is not advanced. |
| C．Cirrus clouds are difficult to identify with snow cover. |
| D．Scientists can compare data from different instruments. |
| A．Citizen observers can only submit data by means of an app. |
| B．Observers with the most observations will receive a special honor. |
| C．Observations from the ground are not as valuable as satellite images. |
| D．The data collected by citizen scientists will be posted on social media. |
| A．NASA to Employ New Members. |
| B．Cloud Activities Bring a New Challenge. |
| C．Scientists to Teach You to Observe Clouds. |
| D．Citizens Gain Experience through Observation. |
3 . Dancing can be magic. At least it is to 11 - year - old Anthony Mmesoma Madu from Nigeria when he dances ballet. A video of Anthony's pirouettes(单脚尖旋舞) went popular, turning him into a star, and earning him a scholarship. Anthony's story has inspired millions and offers hope for the future.
It began on a cold, rainy day in a narrow passage outside untidy Lagos. But Anthony seemed unaware, pirouetting barefoot. His dance teacher took a quick video, posted it on social media, and went back to teaching.
Actress Viola Davis saw the video and tweeted: “Reminds me of the beauty of my people. We can imagine, and love... despite the obstacles that have been put in front of us. Our people can fly!”
In the past few weeks, some 15 million people from around the globe watched madly as Anthony danced across the smooth pavement. Thanks to this support, he received a scholarship to study with some of the world's best ballet dancers at New York's American Dance Theater.
Famous male ballet dancer Calvin Royal II was also moved by Anthony's dancing. He reached out from across the world to Anthony and his classmates at the Leap of Dance Academy in Nigeria He told the young dancers on a video chat, “You are not only changing your world there, in Africa but you're changing the hearts and minds of so many people.”
Many people in Anthony's community have never seen a boy dancing ballet before. But now, his love of dancing is paying off for Anthony, his teacher, his classmates, future Nigerian dancers as well as boys who love ballet.
1. How did people worldwide first know about Anthony probably?| A．On TV. | B．Over the radio. | C．On the Internet. | D．In the newspaper. |
| A．A teacher. | B．An actress. | C．A dancer. | D．A host. |
| A．He danced very well. |
| B．His teacher helped him a lot. |
| C．Lots of people pay attention to him. |
| D．His academic achievement is great. |
| A．Thankful. | B．Favorable. | C．Amazed. | D．Caring. |
4 . Hartley got to Gentral Slalion nearly an hour before his train was due to leave. A lifetime in the theatre had given him a healthy — indeed excessive (过分的) — sense of punctuality; a lifetime of unwanted cups of coffee, constant checking of the time, yet another turn around the block before that all too often pointless, tiresome audition (试镜).
Hartley was 75 — pretty fit for his age, legs holding lip, memory still ticking over nicely — though the occasions for punctuality were now rather fewer. But he was a creature of habit and couldn’t change now.
He repaired to the restaurant purchased a coffee and a blueberry muffin, tired and failed to find a litter-free table. The coffee was awful, the muffin was stale — but the coffee was always awful, the muffin always stale. Hartley refused to let himself be annoyed. His visit to the city had not been without its pleasures. Lunch with an old actor-chum (好友), then a film — regrettably not utilizing (利用) his own talents — had rounded out an agreeable day.
Hartley was a good actor, although the calls on his talents were now infrequent. But really, he thought draining his awful coffee, he’d had a reasonably good career. Something to be proud of. But he’d never had that break-through part.
He headed for his platform. Just as the train was about to pull out a man ran down the platform, jumped aboard as the door slammed shut and sank into the seat next to Hartley.
“Cutting it a bit fine”, he said.
“Indeed”, Hartley replied. “A close run thing”.
The man — forty-ish, amiable looking — gave him an amused glance.
This brief exchange served as an adequate ice-breaker and they chatted their way through the outer suburbs and into the countryside. Having satisfactorily disposed of the sad state of the railways, country versus city living, his neighbour asked Hartley what he did—or had done—for a living.
Hartley hated telling people he was an actor. He was not ashamed of his job. Not in the least, but he had long tired of reactions ranging from “what have I seen you in” to “how do you learn all those lines”.
So in situations like this he simply selected an occupation from a former role. Bit risky, of course. You say you’re a doctor and find yourself meeting the quizzical（疑问的）gaze of a heart surgeon. But he’d never been caught out and it was harmless enough game, Hartley felt. It amused him, and he’d given some damn good performances too.
“I’m a lawyer”, he replied. “Retired several years ago. Property law. Bit of criminal stuff”.
The train was slowing down. The man glanced out of the window.
“My station. I had you quite wrong then”.
He stood and took down his briefcase from the overhead rack.
“Yes, I’d have said you were an actor. The voice especially. Still, lawyers are actors in a way, don’t you think? Plenty of drama in a courtroom”.
The train drew into the station.
“I’m a film director. Casting a feature at the moment. You study faces. On the train. Everywhere. Always on the lookout. Anyway, enjoyed our chat. Bye.”
1. What did Hartley think of his not telling his occupation?| A．Harmful to his acting career. | B．Amusing despite the risk |
| C．Helpful to protect his identity | D．Upsetting when caught out. |
| A．He assumed Hartley had given another answer. |
| B．He understood Hartley’s profession was acting. |
| C．He thought Hartley practiced a different profession. |
| D．He mistook Hartley for another person. |
| A．shows the readers how unexpectedly Hartley’s career ends |
| B．describes Hanley’s shock on finding the man is a director |
| C．confirms Hartley's lack of luck in spite of his acting skills |
| D．proves the man will reconsider giving Hartley a chance to act |
| A．Acting up | B．Employ talents |
| C．Selecting an occupation | D．Casting a feature |
5 . We often hear friends ask why they should read fiction. There is so much to learn from history, from what is going on at the frontiers of science, and from contemporary studies of human behavior. Why should they spend their scarce "free time" reading fiction, the purpose of which, at best, is only entertainment?
We are disappointed about such comments. Yes, we respond, we do find pleasure in reading fiction. But we also learn much about how to best live our lives in ways that can only be captured by fiction. We recognize that some novels are entertaining, but leave no lasting impression. What makes a novel more than entertainment?
Our answer is that we don't just read great books - they read us as well. The human condition is complex and contradictory, layered like an ice-cream dessert, with flavors mixed among the layers. A great novel reflects that complexity. We may read it several times, as we do with our favorites, and each time it is like finding an old friend and gaining new insights from that friend. We put it down with new understandings of the world around us and, most important, of ourselves.
Let's look at the novel Frankenstein, written in 1818 by Mary Shelley. Frankenstein is not the monster, but a young man seeking out the secrets of the universe. He collects body parts and charges it with life. When the dull yellow eyes open, however, Frankenstein, shocked by what he has done, abandons the creature, which ultimately kills Frankenstein's brother, his bride, and his best friend.
On one level, Frankenstein is entertaining - a good horror story, though a little dated. But Shelley writes more than just that. On a deeper level, her book forces us to ask whether humans reach too far to gain knowledge that is as forbidden as the fruit of the Garden of Eden. This theme, as old as the legend of Prometheus （普罗米修斯），dominates Frankenstein. Shelley, of course, knew nothing of genetic （遗传的）engineering that happens today. She was deeply troubled by what human beings might discover about themselves, and the effects of those discoveries on society. Our reading of great literature can also be enriched by understanding the author's personal interests and anxieties.
1. How does the author feel about fiction reading?| A．It is a window to a whole new world. |
| B．It helps us discover the frontiers of science. |
| C．It offers insight into how to live best lives. |
| D．It holds some clues to understanding our memory. |
| A．Because they deserve reading several times. |
| B．Because they lead us to a rich and colorful life. |
| C．Because they explore humans' complex reality. |
| D．Because they improve the writer-reader relationship. |
| A．It is based on a grand theme. |
| B．It is a record of a historic event. |
| C．It is merely a great horror story. |
| D．It is about the legend of Prometheus. |
| A．Why should we read fiction? |
| B．Can novel reading last long? |
| C．Read for fun or read for none? |
| D．Is Frankenstein really entertaining? |
6 . Windows are a key component in a building's design, but they are also the least energy- efficient part. According to a 2009 report by the United Nations, buildings account for 40 percent of global energy usage, and windows are responsible for half of that energy consumption. If conventional windows are used to better block sunlight passing into a building, they need expensive coatings. Even so, they can not adjust the indoor temperature effectively.
Scientists at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) have developed a smart liquid window panel that can help. By creating a mixture of micro-hydrogel (水凝胶), water, and a stabilizer, they found that it can effectively reduce energy consumption in a variety of climates. Thanks to the hydrogel, the mixture becomes hard-to-see- through when exposed to heat, thus blocking sunlight, and, when cool, it returns to its original clear state. The high heat capacity of water allows a large amount of heat energy to be stored instead of getting transferred through the glass and into the building during the hot daytime when office buildings mainly operate. The heat will then be gradually cooled and released at night when the staff are off duty.
As a proof of concept, the scientists conducted outdoor tests in hot (Singapore, Guangzhou) and cold (Beijing) environments. The Singapore test revealed that the smart liquid window had a lower temperature (50°C) during the hottest time of the day (noon) compared to a normal glass window (84°C), The Beijing tests showed that the room using the smart liquid window consumed 11 percent less energy to maintain the same temperature compared to the room with a normal glass window. They also measured when the highest value of stored heat energy of the day occurred. This "temperature peak" in the normal glass window was 2 pm, and in the smart liquid window was shifted to 3 pm. If this temperature peak shift leads to a shift in the time when a building needs to draw on electrical power to cool or warm the building, it should result in lower energy charges for users. The research team is seeking ways to cut down the cost of producing the smart window and so far, they have found several industry partners to commercialize it.
1. What is the disadvantage of conventional windows?| A．They are expensive. |
| B．They are not heatproof. |
| C．They contribute less to energy saving. |
| D．They can't block light into the building. |
| A．By taking in much of heat energy. |
| B．By returning to its original clear state. |
| C．By getting most of sunlight transferred. |
| D．By spreading sunlight in different directions. |
| A．It will make the windows long-lasting. |
| B．It could help the building users reduce costs. |
| C．It makes the buildings rely on no electrical power. |
| D．It helps the windows maintain a constant temperature. |
| A．It will be unaffordable. |
| B．It needs to be further improved. |
| C．It will be widely used in the city. |
| D．It will come onto the market soon. |
7 . Two teenagers are lost at sea off the coast of the United States for six days on their small sailing boat. Without any food and drink, the boys drink sea water. They try slipping into the ocean to cool off, but sharks drive them back onto the boat. At night, they use a single wet suit to keep warm.
This is a real story of two American boys. Driscoll and his best friend, 18-year-old Josh Long, were found six days later and more than 100 miles from where they had set off from Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, on April 24. The boys had lost a lot of water and were tired, but otherwise in pretty good shape.
They set out fishing on a 4.3-meter sailboat on a windy day when the National Weather Service had warned small boats to stay out of the water, but they didn’t care. They realized they were in trouble almost immediately and tried to swim back to shore, pulling the boat along with them. Within hours, they were far out to sea.
“We lost our fishing equipment, ” Driscoll said. “So we couldn’t catch any fish. ” The boys’ hopes faded with each day passing. They stood on their boat every time they saw another boat, waving and shouting, but without success. One night they were woken up by water coming into the boat. A large ship was very close to them.
A coast guard boat set out to look for them. The boys got up and made some noise. This time, they were heard.
“What we have is a completely surprising story of survival that’s going to be studied for years to come, ” said Richard Goerling, Long’s uncle, “I think the boys have a book to write. ”
1. The two boys got lost at the sea because _______.| A．they were not good at boating |
| B．they were separated from their parents while boating |
| C．they didn’t take the warning from National Weather Service seriously. |
| D．they went far into the sea to catch fish |
| A．suffered cold at night |
| B．lived on the fish they caught |
| C．fought against sharks |
| D．swam in the water to cool themselves off in the daytime |
| A．the boys were saved on April 30 |
| B．the boys went to the sea to go surfing |
| C．the boys were sleeping soundly when the boat passed by |
| D．some boats had found the boys but refused to offer help |
| A．the boys will write a book |
| B．something can be learned from the boys’ experience |
| C．children’s safety should be paid more attention to |
| D．the boys did very well when facing danger |
8 . You might have heard about how honey bees are doing poorly these days. It’s different, though, from the situation many of the world’s vulnerable (脆弱的) animals find themselves in. We want them to live their lives and grow stronger, but are we willing to change our lifestyles to make it happen? The decrease in honey bees is a bit different, because if honey bees can’t live well, neither can people and, eventually people won’t eat as a result.
As happened in 2017, U.S. beekeepers lost 40 percent of their bees because of a disease. It’s really about the earnings of beekeepers and the reduced amount of bees. But it doesn’t stop there. Honey bees go around doing pollination (授粉). And do you know what need to be pollinated? That’s our crops. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates bees pollinate about $15 billion worth of apples and peaches each year in the United States alone.
So, we 21st-century humans not only take notice, but also start trying to fix the problem. It’s infeasible that we give every bee the treatment. We can’t imagine how huge the task is and how hard we carry on it! The most promising immediate solution seems to prevent the disease. That’s where the bee vaccine (疫苗) comes.
Scientists have long thought immunizing (使免疫) bees will be unworkable, but a 2015 study discovered that bees transfer immunity to their babies through protein. Vaccinating a bee won’t help that bee, but if you vaccinate the queen of bees, she can pass her immunity on to her later generations through her eggs.
The new vaccine will treat for American foulbrood (AFB), a serious disease that quickly destroys bees. It’s in the testing phases and most likely headed for bee boxes near you. And don’t worry, it doesn’t require a tiny doctor’s chair and needle to deliver the vaccine—the queen bee can drink the medicine in a little sugar water and pass it along to her later generations.
1. What does exactly the author intend to tell us through the 2017 beekeepers’ incident?| A．The beekeepers lead a terrible life. |
| B．The number of bees continues to decrease. |
| C．The decline of bees affects the production of grain. |
| D．The pollination work of bees is huge and complicated. |
| A．Practical | B．Impossible | C．harmful | D．Convenient |
| A．The bee vaccine is hard to develop. |
| B．Bees will learn skills from the queen. |
| C．Bees can transfer immunity to each other. |
| D．The bee vaccine can take effect in the long run. |
| A．It’s applied to all sick bees. |
| B．It will be delivered to bees by skilled doctors. |
| C．It works by allowing the queen of bees to take it. |
| D．It has been put into use and makes many bees survive. |
9 . Choosing the right hiking equipment will make your walk safer and more comfortable. Getting it right is easy with our pick of the best. Don’t hesitate to grab them!
SMART SOCKS
Smartwool Women’s PhD Outdoor Light Print Crew Walking Socks (£16.09)
Built for mile after mile of trail, these socks are so light and seamless that you’ll barely notice you’re wearing them.
Darn Tough Kelso Micro Crew Light Cushion (£20)
Keep you cool while going the distance in these wool socks. They’re cushioned and silky soft.
1000 Mile Fusion Walking Sock (£15.99, twin pack)
Need extra comfort? The Fusion Walking Sock has a blister-free guarantee thanks to clever double-layer technology and padded zones.
LIGHTWEIGHT JACKETS
Smartwool Merino Smart Ultra Light Hoodie (£114.99)
This windproof layer packs away into its pocket.
Berghaus Women’s Skerray Smock (£70)
Stay warm if the wind gets up in this super-light, water-repellent smock jacket with a fitting hood. It packs away into the small pocket.
Finisterre Mistral Waterproof Jacket (£185)
Light yet fully waterproof, this cool high-quality jacket has zipped pockets and an adjustable foldaway hood.
SUMMER SHORTS
Jack Wolfskin Overland Zip Away (£115)
Always chilly when you set out but boiling by the time you’re climbing that hill? With these clever pants, you get a pair of soft-shell trousers and a pair of shorts in one.
1. What can we know from the passage?| A．Crew Walking Socks provide the most comfort of all. |
| B．All the equipment can pack away into its small pocket. |
| C．Both the Light Hoodie and Skerray Smock can keep out the wind. |
| D．Crew Walking Socks are the cheapest and of highest quality. |
| A．Crew Walking Socks & Waterproof Jacket. |
| B．Light Hoodie & Fusion Walking Socks. |
| C．Overland Zip Away & Crew Light Cushion. |
| D．Fusion Walking Socks & Skerray Smock. |
| A．New Technology. | B．Life Style. | C．Sports. | D．Advertisement. |
10 . A shark that walks in water instead of swimming might sound like a creature straight out of a science fiction thriller. However, that is precisely how the four new species of the fish-found in the tropical waters of Northern Australia-move across the seafloor. The unique ocean animals were discovered by a team of scientists, led by Dr Christine Dudgeon from Australians University of Queensland, during a 12-year-old global conservation study.
The newly-found sharks have all evolved to survive in low oxygen environments, enabling them to hunt during low tides. The researchers believe their ability to use their fins to walk across the water affords the sharks substantial advantage over the unsuspecting smaller animals they prey on .
“Though they are super hunters in their shallow habitat, the tiny sharks are harmless to humans," says Dudgeon. "At less than a meter long on average, walking sharks present no threat to people. They're incredibly cute little animals and are really more like gecko than a shark.”
A DNA analysis of skin samples from the sharks suggests that walking sharks broke away from their brothers and sisters about nine million years ago and became a distinct species. Though that may appear to be a long time ago, it is relatively recent given that sharks have been around for more than 400 million years. In fact, Dudgeon and her team believe walking sharks are the youngest kind of sharks on Earth!
The researchers, who published their findings in The Marine and Freshwater Research journal on January 21, 2020, say that the sharks' small numbers and shallow habitat make them extremely vulnerable to natural disasters and overfishing. Three of the nine walking shark species , all of which live in the waters off Northern Australia, eastern Indonesia, and near the island of New Guinea, are currently on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, which lists species at risk. Dudgeon and her team believe sensible conservation management plans are urgently needed to protect the walking sharks and other endangered animals from further threats.
1. What is the most noticeable feature of the newly-found sharks?| A．They are cute and harmless to humans. | B．They can survive in their shallow habitat. |
| C．They walk on their fins across the seafloor. | D．They are the youngest kind of sharks on Earth. |
| A．The evolution of the sharks. | B．The behavior of the sharks. |
| C．The population of the sharks. | D．The DNA samples of the sharks. |
| A．Adjusting the methods of fishing. | B．Putting the sharks on the Nature Red List. |
| C．Changing the sharks' living environments. | D．Adopting necessary measures to protect the sharks. |
| A．A film guide. | B．A fashion magazine. |
| C．A news report. | D．A science fiction. |
