1 . Barbara McClintock was one of the most important scientists of the 20th century. She made important discoveries about genes and chromosomes(染色体).

Barbara McClintock was born in 1902 in Hartford, Connecticut. Her family moved to the Brooklyn area of New York City in 1908. Barbara was an active child with interests in sports and music. She also developed an interest in science.

She studied science at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Barbara was among a small number of undergraduate students to receive training in genetics in 1921. Years later, she noted that few college students wanted to study genetics.

Barbara McClintock decided to study botany, the scientific study of plants, at Cornell University. She completed her undergraduate studies in 1923. McClintock decided to continue her education at Cornell. She completed the master’s degree in 1925. Two years later, she finished all her requirements for the doctorate degree.

McClintock stayed at Cornell after she completed her education. She taught students botany. The 1930s was not a good time to be a young scientist in the United States. The country was in the middle of the great economic depression. Millions of Americans were unemployed. Male scientists were offered jobs. But female geneticists were not much in demand.

An old friend from Cornell, Marcus Rhoades, invited McClintock to spend the summer of 1941 working at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. It is a research center on Long Island, near New York City. McClintock started a temporary job with the genetics department. A short time later, she accepted a perpetual position in the laboratory and got continual incomes. This gave her the freedom to continue her research without repeatedly asking for financial aid.

By the 1970s, her discoveries had had an effect on everything from genetic engineering to cancer research. McClintock won the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine in 1983 for her discovery of the ability of genes to change positions on chromosomes. She was the first American woman to win an unshared Nobel Prize.

1. When did McClintock get a doctorate degree?

A．In 1921.

B．In 1923.

C．In 1925.

D．In 1927

2. In the middle of the great economic depression in the US, ________.

A．male scientists were in great demand

B．male scientists were out of work

C．female geneticists were not in demand at all

D．young female scientists might have trouble finding a job

3. Which of the following jobs was beneficial to McClintock’s research?

A．A permanent position in the laboratory.

B．A temporary job in the genetics department.

C．A job as a botany teacher.

D．A job to research cancer.

4. Why was McClintock awarded a Nobel Prize?

A．Because she received a degree in genes and chromosomes.

B．Because she contributed to genetic engineering and cancer research.

C．Because she made important discoveries about genes and chromosomes.

D．Because she was the first American woman who studied genes and chromosomes.

3 . When people see machines that respond like humans, or computers that perform amazing functions, they sometimes joke about a future in which humanity will need to accept robot overlords(霸主). But buried in the joke is a seed of unease. Science-fiction movies have ever shown us about artificial intelligence (AI) that escapes its creators’ control.

Even in the real world, not everyone is ready to welcome AI with open arms. In recent years, as computer scientists have pushed the boundaries(界限) of what AI can accomplish, leading figures in technology and science have warned about the frightening dangers that artificial intelligence may pose to human beings, even suggesting that AI could destroy the human race. But why are people so frightened about the idea of AI?

Elon Musk is one of the famous voices that have raised red flags about AI. In July 2017, Musk told people at a meeting of the National Governors Association, “I have exposure to the very cutting-edge AI, and I think people should be really concerned about it. I keep sounding the alarm bell. But until people see robots going down the street killing people, they don’t know how to react, because it seems so impossible. ”

Earlier, in 2014, Musk had labeled AI “our biggest existential threat”, and in August 2017, he declared that humanity faced a great risk from AI.

Physicist Stephen Hawking, who died on March 14, also expressed concerns about AI, telling the BBC in 2014 that “the development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.”

It’s also less than reassuring that some programmers—particularly those with MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts—seem determined to prove that AI can be terrifying.

1. What are top scientists in AI worried about?

A．It has wonderful functions.

B．It contributes too much to movies.

C．It may end the human race some day.

D．It’s ability to bury our seeds in jokes.

2. What is Elon Musk’s attitude toward AI?

A．Disapproving.	B．Ambiguous.
C．Understanding.	D．Supportive.

3. What could AI do in Stephen Hawking’s opinion?

A．Be a great threat to human beings.

B．Learn the human emotions like fear.

C．Predict the future of the human race.

D．Turn horrible tales into scary stories.

4. Which part of a newspaper is the text most probably taken from?

A．Technology.	B．Health.
C．Culture.	D．Nature.

4 . What is the greatest threat to mankind? Maybe different people come up with different answers. However, there is no denying the fact that the only threat to humankind, apart from humankind itself, is, without any doubt, the nature. Natural disasters are the result of natural environmental processes that have a damaging effect on people. Natural disasters can come in many forms: such as geological events like earthquakes, tsunamis or mud-rock flows, climatic events like storms, hurricanes or tornadoes and fire events like forest fires and wildfires.

The damage done by natural disasters is mainly as a result of our inability to predict exactly when they will happen. Although great progress has been made in designing and developing forecasting models for some natural disaster, complete certainty is still impossible. Even to be pessimistic there is a possibility that human beings will never achieve accurate prediction of the happening of all natural disasters.

What's more, even though we were able to predict these disasters from nature, preventing them is equally impossible. So we only have two ways to both prevent injuries or deaths and reduce economic losses to the least. These two methods are to prepare before a natural disaster comes to hit, and to manage the necessary resources and public services after a natural disaster strikes.

These two things have always been at the leading position of the projects of both national governments and international organizations. In the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responsible for the "preparedness, response and recovery planning" of both man-made and natural disasters.

Most natural disasters cannot be prevented, and both emergency preparation and good disaster management are the best ways to deal with them. Although natural events may appear to serve no purpose but simply to punish and destroy, natural disasters, a perfect symbol of the great power of the nature, are display of our planet's evolution and its state of change.

1. Which can't be regarded as a similarity between tornadoes and earthquakes?

A．They can not be prevented.

B．They are both geological events.

C．They cause damage to people.

D．They are both the result of natural environmental processes.

2. The reason why natural disasters cause so much damage is that ________.

A．it is very difficult to predict when exactly they will happen

B．our forecasting equipment is too old for many natural disasters

C．we don't do enough preparation before natural disasters strike

D．we don't have the necessary public services to use after natural disasters strike

3. It may be concluded from the passage that ________.

A．natural disasters can not be predicted at all

B．human beings are pessimistic to the future

C．being well-prepared can avoid economic losses

D．good preparation and disaster management are advisable.

4. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A．a symbol of the power of nature	B．the greatest threat to mankind
C．Natural disasters and mankind	D．reduce losses to the least

5 . As spring arrives, farmers around the world are making decisions about what crops to plant and how to manage them. In the U. S., farmers typically have big data to help make these decisions. These data have a clear upside. They make farms more productive. In the U.S., the past five years have seen a series of good harvests for both corn and soybean. A big part is generated by effectively using data to produce more food from the same amount of land, seed and fertilizer.

In the poorer parts of the world, however, the picture is much different. Many farmers are guided only by their history with the land and their community's traditions. Their skills and knowledge are impressive, but they suffer from a poverty of data. They rely on technical advisors for advice from governments and academic centers who often have very little knowledge of the local area. For seeds and fertilizers and other materials used in the field, they rely on companies that lack data on how their products will perform in the local conditions.

About 10 years ago, East African officials and their development partners started to explore why so few smallholder dairy farmers made profits from growing demand from urban consumers. Surveys of farmers in the region suggested poor access to veterinary(禽畜的) care and breeding assistance. An effort to provide these services has helped farmers get more milk.

Data would matter little if farming was easy and the paths to productivity were obvious. But in reality, agriculture is a complex mix of many factors, including climate, biology, chemistry, physics, economics and culture—all of which vary from region to region. In this situation, good data is necessary.

1. How has big data benefited American’s farmers?

A．By producing more seeds and fertilizer.

B．By helping the farmers to make decisions.

C．By informing the farmers to plant crops earlier.

D．By increasing the amount of land for farming.

2. What do farmers in poor countries need to improve their farming?

A．Big data.

B．Farming skills.

C．Technical guidance.

D．Farming materials.

3. Why does the writer mention the case of East Africa?

A．To show that East Africa relies heavily on diary farming.

B．To illustrate cooperation between countries was a great success.

C．To serve as an example of how data helps farmers in poor areas.

D．To prove that city people in East Africa didn't like drinking milk.

4. What can we learn from the passage?

A．Many changeable factors have influence on farming.

B．The American farmers can't decide what they will plant.

C．East African dairy farmers were experienced in raising cows.

D．The technical advisors in poor areas know the local areas well.

6 . The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie

By Chavonne D. Stewart, Jasmine Mills, published in 2014

Enter for a chance to win a copy of the book.It is the first book in a surprising series of children’s books. That’s fun and exciting and teaches kids valuable lessons.

Chester and Gus

By Cammie McGoven, published in 2017

Chester has always wanted to become a service dog. When he fails his certification test, though, it seems that dream might never come true－until a family adopts him to be a companion for their ten-year-old son, Gus. But Gus acts so differently from anyone Chester has ever met. He never wants to pet Chester. Chester’s not sure how to help Gus, but he’s determined to figure it out and show he’s the right dog for the job.

Invisible Emmie

By Terri Libenson, published in 2017

The novel tells the story of two totally different little girls in a class — quiet, shy and artistic Emmie and popular, outgoing, athletic Katie — and how their lives unexpectedly connected one day, when an embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands. Emmie eventually learns to speak up for herself, realizing that being social isn’t as impossible as she thought.

Ocean Meets Sky

By Terry Fan, Eric Fan, published in 2018

“Young readers will be attracted.”— The Washington Post.

Finn lives by the sea and the sea lives by him. Every time he looks out of his window, it’s a constant reminder of the stories that his grandfather told him about the place where the ocean meets the sky. Finn’s grandfather has gone but Finn knows the perfect way to honor him. He’ll build his own ship and sail out to find this magical place himself! And when he arrives, maybe he’ll find something he didn’t know he was looking for.

1. What can we know about The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie?

A．It’s the first children’s book in 2015.

B．It’s only for children’s fun.

C．It may be gained for free.

D．It’s mainly about teachers’ lessons.

2. Which book is related to the loss of loved ones?

A．The Adventures of Amilya Rose: The Lie	B．Ocean Meets Sky
C．Invisible Emmie	D．Chester and Gus

3. Who wrote the story about the relationship between classmates?

A．Chavonne D. Stewart and Jasmine Mills	B．Cammie McGovern
C．Terry Fan and Eric Fan	D．Terri Libenon

7 . World’s best beaches:2020 Trip Advisor award winners

No.1 Clearwater Beach It lies in America,about a forty minute drive west of Tampa.It impresses travelers with two and a half miles of sugar white sand,crystal clear water and gentle Gulf wind.The beach offers calm,shallow water,making it an ideal playground for tourists. *Bargain hotel nearby:Pier House 60 Marina Hotel,from $293 per night *Airfare:As low as $71 round trip from ORD (Chicago) to TPA (Tampa)

No.2 Siesta Beach Just south of Sarasota,Siesta Beach on Siesta Key is known for its eight-mile stretch of sugar fine,quartz white sand.It’s also a great spot for kids to collect seashells and sand dollars. *Bargain hotel nearby:Tropical Beach Resorts,from $295 per night *Airfare:As low as $238 round trip from EWR(Newark) to SRQ (Sarasota)

No.3 Ka’anapali Beach Among the most visited beach in West Maui,this area is a popular spot for quiet relaxation or water sports.It’s also famous for the daily cliff diving ceremony off of the beach’s northernmost cliffs known as Black Rock. *Bargain hotel nearby:Lahaina Shores Beach Resort,from $289 per night *Airfare:As low as $382 round-trip from SFO (San Francisco) to OGG (Kahului)

No.4 South Beach People watching is a great pastime in Miami’s South Beach,which draws celebrities and models.Travelers love the wide,fine,white sand-covered beaches as well as the surrounding area,known for wild nightlife and excellent restaurants. *Bargain hotel nearby:Room Mate Lord Balfour,from $264 per night *Great airfare:As low as$107 round-trip from LGA (New York) to MIA (Miami)

1. Siesta Beach is different from other three beaches in that 　　　.

A．tourists enjoy an exciting sport

B．fine sugar white sand covers it

C．many famous persons visit it

D．children have more great fun

2. How much may they pay at least if Mr and Mrs Smith from Chicago visit a beach?

A．$364.	B．$435.
C．$579.	D．$657.

3. Charlie is eager to meet his favourite movie star,which beach would you recommend?

A．Clearwater Beach.

B．Siesta Beach.

C．Ka’anapali Beach.

D．South Beach.

8 . The idea of using a public bathroom with see through walls may sound like the stuff of nightmares. But a famous Japanese is hoping to change that view, using new technology to make restrooms in Tokyo parks more inviting.

“There are two things we worry about when entering a public restroom, especially those cated at a park,” according to architect Shigeru Ban’s firm. “The first is cleanliness, and the second is whether anyone is inside.”

The newly-invented transparent walls can turn off both of those worries, Ban says, by showing people what awaits them inside. After users enter the restroom and lock the door, the room’s walls turn a powdery paste) shade and are no longer see-through.

Ban’s are sure to make for great conversation among visitors to the park-and they’ll stand out even more after dark. “At night, the facility lights up the park like a beautiful lantern,” the architect’s website says.

The group is behind the Tokyo Toilet project, world-famous architects to create toilets “like you’ve never seen. The project’s eye catching toilets are part of a plan to put people ar ease when isiting a public bathroom. The project may seem silly, but the 16 architects who are reimagining public toilets are some of the brightest names in Japanese architecture. The list includes four Pritzker Prize winners-Ban, Toyo Ito, Tadao Ando and Fumihiko Maki-along with international stars such as Kengo Kuma and Sou Fujimoto. The fashion designer Nigo is also contributing.

Ban’s colorful public bathrooms opened to the public this month in two parks: Yoyogi Fukamachi Mini Park and Haru-no-Ogawa Community Park. Other bespoke commodes will be opening in coming months.

1. Why are people often worried before entering a public restroom?

A．Its lock is usually useless.

B．It’s usually at a huge distance.

C．It’s not always clean.

D．It’s always occupied.

2. What does the underlined word “transparent” mean in the third paragraph ?

A．Easy to see through.

B．Not easy to see through.

C．Full of bright colors.

D．Thick and strong.

3. What do we know about the project from the last two paragraphs?

A．It’s and silly.

B．It’s rewarding and.

C．It has won the Pritzker Prize.

D．It’s the fruit of colleqtive wisdom

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Should the public restrooms be upgraded?

B．The new high-tech walls of public restrooms are coming.

C．How do we live with see-through public facilities?

D．Some famous architects designed a silly project.

9 . This little South American Magellanic penguin swims 5,000 miles to a beach in Brazil every year in order to be reunited with the man who saved its life. It sounds like something out of a fairy tale, but it’s true!

71-year-old retired brick worker Joao, who lives in an island village just outside Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, found the small Magellanic penguin lying on rocks at his local beach in 2011.The penguin was covered in oil and running out of time fast. Joao rescued the penguin, naming him Din, cleaned the oil off his feathers and fed him a daily diet of fish to rebuild his strength. After a week of recovery, Joao attempted to release the penguin back into the wild. However, Din had already formed a family bond with his rescuer and wouldn’t leave.

“He stayed with me for 11 months and then, just after he changed his coat with new feathers, he disappeared,” Joao recalls. “I love the penguin like it’s my own child and I believe the penguin loves me,” Joao told Globo TV. “No one else is allowed to touch him. He pecks them if they do. He lies on my lap, lets me give him showers, and allows me to feed him.”

Professor Krajewski, a biologist who interviewed the fisherman for Globo TV, told The Independent: “I have never seen anything like this before. I think the penguin believes Joao is part of his family and probably a penguin as well.”

However, environmentalists warn that, while hundreds of the Magellanic species are known to naturally migrate thousands of miles north in search of food ,there has been a worrying rise in the phenomenon of oceanic creatures washing up on Brazil’s beaches. Professor David Zee from Rio de Janeiro’s State University said the increase is due in part to global climatic changes. Professor Zee added that sea animals face increased danger from leaked tanker oil.

Luckily the ending for Joao and Din has been a happy one, even though it is illegal in Brazil to keep wild animals as pets.

Professor Krajewski said: “Professionals who work with animals try to avoid relationships like this occurring so they are able to reintroduce the animal into the wild. But in this single case the authorities allowed Din to stay with Joao because of his kindness.”

1. Why does Din swim a long distance to a beach in Brazil every year?

A．To avoid being killed.	B．To meet his rescuer.
C．To escape from ocean currents.	D．To find much more fish.

2. What do we know about Din when he was found in 2011?

A．He was dying.	B．He was running on the beach.
C．He was resting on a rock.	D．He was cleaning oil off his feathers.

3. What can we learn about Joao from the passage?

A．He is not allowed to keep the penguin as a pet by the authorities.

B．He overprotects the penguin by keeping him away from others.

C．His contact with the penguin is encouraged by professionals.

D．His kindness wins the penguin’s trust.

4. What’s the main idea of the passage?

A．The environmental impact on wildlife.	B．The love between humans and wildlife.
C．The tendency of wildlife to bond with humans.	D．The protection of threatened wildlife by mankind.

10 . I had only really known the little girl for a few weeks, but I carried her with me every day.

We met in the Children’s Hospital of Columbus. I was 11. I was born with a hole in my heart. So was the five-year-old girl in the bed beside me. We were both recovering from the same surgery (手术). Being older and wiser, I thought it was my job to look out for her. “Do you want to hear a story?” I recall asking her one afternoon. “Great!” she said.

It was so easy to make her happy. She seemed always to be smiling or laughing or singing songs.

Life wasn’t fair. She passed away. My own recovery went well. “You’re really lucky,” a nurse told me. “But how come my operation was so easy and hers wasn’t?” I asked. “Easy?” My dad said. “David, your surgery wasn’t easy at all. We thought we were going to lose you because of the amount of internal bleeding (内出血). You can’t remember it because you were in a coma (昏迷),” Dad said. “For two weeks after your operation many things could go wrong.” “I’m really lucky. I wasn’t too old to need someone to look out for me.” “You wouldn’t remember this either. When you were in the coma, she used to come over to your bed and sing to you. She was watching over you. ”

My surgery scars were hidden under my shirt. But I knew they were there, along with the memory of that little girl. The one who’d been at my side like a tiny angel when I didn’t even know she was there. I am older now and hopefully somewhat wiser. Wise enough to know that I have angels watching over me, when life is fair and when it’s not.

1. Why did the author look after the little girl?

A．Her parents were busy.

B．He thought it was his duty.

C．She wanted to hear stories.

D．She was seriously ill.

2. How was the girl’s character?

A．Positive.	B．Shy.
C．Anxious.	D．Nervous.

3. What most probably made the girl into the author’s memory?

A．The girl’s death.	B．The girl’s unfair life.
C．The author’s growth.	D．The girl’s help.

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

A．The Hospital Friendship

B．The Unforgettable Surgery

C．A Terrible Hole in the Heart

D．A Lovely but Pitiful Girl