1 . How much should we believe what we see online?
The film Net Lost follows David Kim, the father of Margot, a teenage girl who disappears. To help with the investigation (调查) of the police, the father looks into Margot’s personal life. The more he discovers, the more he realizes he knew nothing about his daughter. His daughter strangely gives money to other persons online and joins in online chat rooms.
In the film, we see how technology is important but also detrimental. While it helps David to uncover information, it asks a question: how much should we really believe? Information can be misleading.
The film proves how real life can be different from what we see online through Margot’s Facebook. She has a few hundred friends on Facebook but none in real life. With social media, everyone has a voice and hidden aim, and even her classmates only pretend to care about her. Besides, Margot’s messages are misunderstood. Social media quickly makes the public blaming the father: the father 's carelessness caused Margot’s disappearance.
The film is recorded only through a computer screen rather than having the standard camera shots.
This new method is pleasantly new. The filming is very cleverly done and we begin to forget that it’s all through a computer screen.
The film manages to draw the attention and hearts of the film-goers. It has a suspense-filled (充满悬念的) story and fresh viewpoint that mirrors technology in our own lives. So, if you’re searching for a film to get lost in, this is the film for you.
1. Why does Margot’s father research her personal life?| A．To join in Margot’s online chat rooms. |
| B．To find out whom Margot gives money to. |
| C．To assist in looking into her disappearance. |
| D．To make others believe what he sees online. |
| A．Satisfying. | B．Believable. |
| C．Harmful. | D．Modern. |
| A．Margot’s father is responsible for his daughter’s disappearance. |
| B．Online information may be different from reality. |
| C．Social media caused the misunderstanding. |
| D．A film shouldn’t be recorded through a computer. |
| A．Bored. | B．Angry. |
| C．Doubtful. | D．Positive. |
2 . Best Tours in Auckland
Waiheke Island
With the best of the island’s two selling points — nature and wine — this tour will have you cross through the island’s bushland, and drink award-winning wines. You’ll see New Zealand’s famously shy wildlife and native plants.
Tour: Waiheke Island Vineyards and Bush Walk
Money: $ 130 for a family of three
Coromandel
This day tour allows you to get to some of the area’s places far away. Your guide will drop you off at Stony Bay where you will begin the 10-kilometre hike to Fletcher Bay, where you will be collected. You can enjoy its natural beauty, with the shining ocean alongside you. Don’t forget your bathing suit to make the most of the place at the end of the route.
Tour: Coromandel Coastal Walkway Day Tour
Money: $ 45 per person
Hamilton
Explore endangered species of flora and fauna at Sanctuary Mountain. It’s a place where at-risk species can grow without human nearing them. Your guide will explain the species and the reasons they’re endangered to you.
Tour: Guided Forest Tour of Sanctuary Mountain
Money: $ 42 per person
Waitomo
Put on your boots and helmet, and prepare to go down underground, hiking among rocks and streams. The tour is limited to six people, allowing you a much more comfortable and personalized experience.
Tour: Glow-worm Caving Adventure
Money: $55 per adult &. $ 25 per child
1. Where can a person go for swimming according to the passage?| A．Waiheke Island. | B．Coromandel. |
| C．Hamilton. | D．Waitomo. |
| A．Waiheke Island Vineyards and Bush Walk. |
| B．Coromandel Coastal Walkway Day Tour. |
| C．Guided Forest Tour of Sanctuary Mountain. |
| D．Glow-worm Caving Adventure. |
| A．People can hike a long distance. |
| B．Endangered animals can be seen. |
| C．The number of tourists is limited. |
| D．Tourists can drink award winning wines. |
3 . LONDON——Global auction(拍卖）sales of Chinese art and antiques fell in 2019 to $ 5.7 billion, a 10 percent drop year-on-year, and the lowest level for the collecting category since 2010. The Global Chinese Art Auction market report, compiled by Artnet and the Chinese Association of Auctioneers, found this was clue to trade tensions between the United States and China, as well as a slowdown of GDP in China.
The report, now in its eighth edition, noted that the value of total auction sales within the Chinese mainland declined by 10 percent in 2019 to $ 3.7 billion, the lowest total since 2010. Outside China, there was also a 9 percent drop in sales of Chinese art and antiques.
“The combination of such slowdowns resulted in a weakening of collectors' confidence and a more cautious attitude among buyers making decisions on investing in art in 2019," said the report.
However, despite the downturn in total sales value for Chinese art and antiques in 2019, the European market showed some positive trends emerging. Significant peaks in lots offered and lots sold in Europe, combined with a strong sell through rate（卖出率）of 61 percent in 2019.
Europe accounted for 29 percent of all Chinese art and antique lots sold overseas in 2019 , according to the report, closing in on（接近）the North American market's share.
The annual report also found strong performances with 20th century and contemporary Chinese art in both the Chinese mainland and overseas, boosted by a younger generation of Chinese collectors.
The average price for the category increased in the Chinese mainland, up by 23 percent year- on-year, and overseas sales saw a nine-year high in 2019. But fine Chinese paintings and calligraphy, the largest collecting category on the Chinese mainland, did not perform as well.
According to the report this category “continued to spiral(螺旋式的）downwards, reaching its lowest point in sales since 2013”. The number of lots dropped by 10 percent year-on-year, almost half of that of 2013 and it also struggled elsewhere, with the overseas total falling to a seven-year low.
1. What is the third paragraph mainly about?| A．The result of a weakening of collectors' confidence in buying art. |
| B．The advantage of buyers' making decisions on investing in art. |
| C．The advantage of the decline of the value of total auction sales. |
| D．The result of the decline of the value of total auction sales. |
| A．Their standards were not so high. |
| B．Their prices were not so satisfying. |
| C．They are the largest collecting category. |
| D．The average price for the category rose sharply. |
| A．Took up. | B．Took off. |
| C．Took away. | D．Took on. |
| A．A Slowdown of GDP in China in 2019 |
| B．A Report on the Global Chinese Art Auction Market |
| C．Trade Tensions Between the United States and China |
| D．Global Auction Sales of Chinese Antiques and Art Fall to a 10-year Low |
4 . Japanese businessman Katsuo Inoue chose Italy for his summer vacation this year. He enjoyed the views of Florence and Rome-without ever leaving Japan.
Inoue and his wife “flew” to Italy on First Airlines, a company known for entertainment （娱乐），not transportation. The Tokyo-based new company entered the fast growing online tourism early this year as many countries have stopped accepting foreign tourists.
“I often go to other countries on business, but I haven't been to Italy,” Inoue said. "My impression was really good because I got a sense of actually seeing things there. First Airlines even gave us life jackets and oxygen masks（氧气罩）！”
The “passengers” on First Airlines sit in the first — or business-class areas of an airplane model. Workers serve meals and drinks as large screens show passing clouds and other views outside the airplane. The “travelers“ then receive glasses that provide virtual reality（虚拟现实 的）tours of places like Paris, New York, Hawaii and Rome.
The country's biggest airline, ANA Holdings, said that the numbers of passengers flying to foreign countries fell by 96 percent since June when Japan has stopped most travel in and out of the country. The International Air Transport Association （lAIA ） and The International Tourism Association （ITA） said last month that international travels wouldn't be able to recover until 2024. But they said the online travels have been growing very fast.
The president, Hiroaki Abe, said, “Since we started our online tour this year, our business has been increasing by 50 percent each month. Most of our customers usually travel to other countries every year and they can now experience some of that here when they are unable to go to the real attractions.”
1. What can we learn about First Airlines?| A．It provides transportation to tourists. |
| B．It is an Italy-based company. |
| C．It has been in business for many years. |
| D．It is a new online tourism company. |
| A．It is very cool. | B．It is boring. |
| C．It is dangerous. | D．It is frightening. |
| A．Customers can have more choices. |
| B．It is able to provide much better services. |
| C．It is much cheaper than the traditional travels. |
| D．People cannot actually travel around this year. |
| A．IATA. | B．ITA. |
| C．First Airlines. | D．ANA Holdings. |
5 . Inventors are always at work, dreaming up new technologies. Some inventions help us solve problems. Others make life easier, or more fun. Here, TFK(Time for Kids) presents 3 of our favorite inventions. See how they make us live a better life.
Stopping Sickness
Christine Schindler is an engineer. She wanted to help stop the spread of foodborne illnesses. So she created PATHSPOT. It uses light to scan a person’s hands for harmful germs. Restaurant employees hold their hands beneath the scanner. Then the scanner judges whether they must be rewashed. About 100 locations have started using the product since it launched in May.
Talking Eyes
For people who are blind or have other visual problems, the ORCAM MYEYE 2 could be a game changer. It might also prove useful for people with reading difficulties. Described as “talking glasses,” this AI device can be attached to any eyeglass frame. It can identify faces. It can also read text aloud. Fitting all this power into such a small device is like “putting an elephant in a small closet,” says Amnon Shashua, the inventor of the technology. Now the device can be bought online.
Sport-safe
Research shows that playing football increases the risk of brain injury. Still, about a million kids under the age of 13 play football, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. That’s where the VICIS ZERO1 YOUTH football helmet comes in. It has thick, force-absorbing support on the front and sides, where kids are likely to take the hardest hits on the field. Players on 1,500 youth teams have worn the helmet.
1. What is the function of Pathspot?| A．Killing the germs on hands. | B．Checking if hands are clean. |
| C．Rewashing employees’ hands. | D．Stopping the reproduction of germs. |
| A．Low-noise. | B．Portable. |
| C．Single-function | D．Power-saving. |
| A．It is available to the public now. | B．It improves kids’ football skills. |
| C．It is designed for kids under 13 only. | D．Its front and sides are the hardest. |
6 . With their large glass windows and clear views of the hospital’s newest arrivals, it’s hard to imagine hospitals without newborn nurseries. But how did this slightly unusual concept of putting babies on show come into being?
Well, they’re not really for putting babies on show. Firstly, they were created as an area for nurses to take care of all of the new babies, separate from their mothers. Newborn nurseries have been around pretty much since moms started having babies in hospitals. In the early 1900s, hospitals replaced homes as the primary place to give birth. Hospitals built delivery rooms, and those wards had nurseries with windows.
According to Smithsonian.com, a 1943 publication gave two main purposes for the nurseries. The first purpose was to allow the relatives to see the new babies. The windows, however, were to keep the babies safe and clean while they were being admired by relatives. And that sanitary concern is right and reasonable. Babies’ immune systems are not yet developed, which has to do with the frightening reason you should be careful about letting people kiss your new baby. However, the Smithsonian.com article does admit that solid walls would be even more effective at keeping bacteria and viruses out than windows. Not to mention they would be more cost-effective. So, yeah... the primary purpose is still to look at the cute babies. Some hospitals would offer individual viewings so that relatives could have some quality time with their new member. In the mid- to late twentieth century, these nursery viewings were often the first time fathers got to see their new babies.
Today, though, the nurseries mean a lot to many hospital visitors and family members. Dotti James claims that "the nursery window has become a destination for patients and families from other parts of the hospital experiencing a health crisis...Standing outside the nursery, seeing the babies...can give hope to families trying to deal successfully with something difficult." It’s pretty much a universal truth that healthy babies are an immediate mood booster(令人鼓舞的事情).
1. What’s the function of Paragraph 1?| A．To present the answer to a question. |
| B．To summarize the whole passage. |
| C．To introduce the theme of the passage. |
| D．To provide background information. |
| A．Nurseries with windows are more cost-effective. |
| B．Safety is the main focus of newborn nurseries. |
| C．Kissing new babies may cause them harm. |
| D．Fathers were the last to see new babies decades ago. |
| A．Doubtful.. | B．Positive | C．Concerned. | D．Disapproving. |
| A．To explain why hospitals set up newborn nurseries. |
| B．To stress the importance of newborn nurseries. |
| C．To show the benefits of newborn nurseries. |
| D．To state some misunderstandings of newborn nurseries. |
7 . Scientists from Imperial College London have found that using virtual reality(VR)headsets can reduce sensitivity to pain, by immersing(沉浸)people in icy Arctic scenery. In a study published in Pain Reports, a team from Imperial used VR video to reduce people’s sensitivity to ongoing pain and sharp shooting pain.
According to the researchers, the findings add to the growing evidence for the potential of VR technology to help patients with long-term pain. Beyond the distracting effect, they think VR may actually cause the body’s own inbuilt pain-fighting systems to start working.
Dr Sam Hughes, the first author on the paper, said "Our work suggests that VR may be getting involved in processes in the key parts of our inbuilt pain-fighting systems and are helpful in regulating the spread of increased sensitivity to pain.
To test their theory, researchers applied a cream containing capsaicin(辣椒素)-the chemical that makes your mouth bum-to 15 healthy volunteers. The capsaicin makes the skin more sensitive to painful stimuli(刺激)like a very small electric shock.
In the first trial, participants were then asked to rate the pain caused by the capsaicin cream on a scale of 0-100 (from 'no pain' to 'worst pain possible' )while either watching a VR scene of Arctic exploration through a headset, or looking at a still image of an Arctic scene on a monitor. Under the same conditions, they were also asked to say when a stimulus applied directly to the skin area is considered as painful.
The team found that ongoing pain was reduced following VR immersion, and that sensitivity to painful stimuli was also reduced. However, the same effect was not seen in people who looked at still images of the polar environment.
They explain that while the findings made at the beginning are encouraging, the study is limited by the small number of healthy participants, without long-term pain. However, the researchers believe VR could hold a bright future to treat patients with long-term pain who have poor inbuilt pain fighting systems.
1. How can VR possibly help long-term pain sufferers?| A．By making their pain-fighting systems function. |
| B．By drawing their attention to fighting pain. |
| C．By controlling the spread of pain sensitivity. |
| D．By slowing down their brains' reaction to pain. |
| A．Making a capsaicin cream. |
| B．Putting on virtual reality headsets. |
| C．Applying capsaicin cream to the skin. |
| D．Looking at pictures on a computer screen. |
| A．Still images helped to ease people's pain. |
| B．VR immersion was the key factor in pain reduction. |
| C．Healthy people were less sensitive to VR than pain sufferers. |
| D．Capsaicin cream brought people more pain than electronic stimulus. |
| A．The team feels confident about future VR treatment. |
| B．The researchers will work on the side effect of VR. |
| C．VR treatment can be applied in other medical fields. |
| D．The trial only has an effect on short-term pain patients. |
8 . Recently whenever I turned on my computer or my mobile phone, news about the great effect of Hurricane Harvey（哈维飓风）on thousands of people caught my eye. I saw many unfortunate events. However, there was also lots of bright news that showed the goodness of mankind. As a reporter, I reported many human-interest stories when doing my job, That’s why the story about the guys in the bakery（面包店）caught my eye.
When the workers at a Mexican bakery chain in Houston were trapped inside the building for two days, they didn't sit there feeling sorry for themselves. They used their time wisely after flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey. While waiting for the eventual rescue that came on Monday morning, the four workers decided to make as many loaves of bread as possible for people around the neighborhood. They talked to their manager about their plan over the phone and the manager agreed.
The flood water rose in the street outside. They took advantage of their emergency power supply to bake bread. They used more than 4,200 pounds of flour（面粉）to create hundreds of loaves and sheets of sweet bread. Although the water kept rising, they continued baking to help more people. By the time the manager managed to get to them, they had made so much bread that they took the loaves to lots of emergency centers across the city for people affected by the floods.
The store manager, Brian Alvarado, told The Independent, “They've done more than they should have done. And what they had done has lit a light for people. I feel lucky to have them work in the bakery.”
Whenever a disaster occurs, nobody should feelforlorn. Instead, we should stay hopeful and take positive action to save ourselves and help others. Our acts of kindness will make a big difference to the people in the world as well as the world itself.
1. Why did the story in the bakery draw the author’s attention?| A．It was helpful in choosing a good job. |
| B．It made him/her interested in baking. |
| C．It could bring him/her much money. |
| D．It showed the goodness of mankind. |
| A．They tried to get people out of water. |
| B．They set up emergency centers to help. |
| C．They offered to make bread for people. |
| D．They let homeless people live in the bakery. |
| A．He found them lucky. | B．He was proud of them. |
| C．They were experienced. | D．They were shy but brave. |
| A．Hopeless. | B．Confident. | C．Serious. | D．Angry. |
9 . Amsterdam,the capital and most populous city in the Netherlands，is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world，famous for its beautiful canals，top art museum，cycling culture，and Red Light District.Here are some of the key points to remember as you plan your trip to Amsterdam.
Must-See AttractionsMost visitors begin their Amsterdam adventure in the Old Centre,which is full of traditional architecture，shopping centers,and coffee shops.You’ll also want to check out Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter in the South District，which is great for shopping at the Albert Cuyp Market and having a picnic in the Vondelpark.The top museums to visit are the Rijksmusuem,the Ann Frank House,and the Van Gogh Museum.The Canal Ring is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was originally built to attract wealthy home owners and is a popular place for celebrity spotting and nightlife today.
TransportationTravelers should be aware that Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in the world.This airport is located about 15 kilometers southwest of city center.You can catch a train from Schiphol to Amsterdam Central Station，which has many connecting routes.It’s typically not a good idea to drive a car to the city center because traffic is heavy and parking is difficult to find.Cycling is incredibly popular here,and it’s easy to find cheap bike rentals around town.Amsterdam has a flat terrain(地形) and is a great city to explore on foot.
Money Saving TipsUnless you really want to see the tulips(郁金香) blooming，avoid booking between mid-March and mid-May.This is when hotel and flight prices rise.
Look for accommodations in Amsterdam’s South District，where rates are generally cheaper than in the city center.Buy train tickets at the machine instead of the counter to save a bit of money.
Instead of hiring a tour guide，hop on a canal boat.They’re inexpensive and will give you a unique point of view of the city.Check out our homepage to view price comparisons for flights,hotels,and rental cars before you book.
1. Which attraction was built with the original purpose of drawing the rich?| A．Albert Cuyp Market. | B．The Ann Frank House. |
| C．The Van Gogh Museum. | D．The Canal Ring. |
| A．The plane. | B．The train. |
| C．The car. | D．The bike. |
| A．Seeing the tulips blooming in spring. | B．Avoiding accommodating downtown. |
| C．Buying car tickets at the machine. | D．Hiring a local tour guide. |
10 . How often do you get uncomfortable? A couple of years ago I bought a shirt as part of an adoption fundraiser. The front of the shirt said, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” That phrase has really resonated (产生共鸣) with me and has increasingly pushed me in many areas of my life so much that I really want 2018 to be a year when I challenge my comfort zone like never before.
I believe the best things in life come from stretching(延伸，伸展) ourselves and getting uncomfortable.
Take health and fitness, for example. It is so deliciously tempting (诱人的) to sit on the sofa and watch a favorite Netflix series with a favorite sweet or salty snack in hand. That is comfortable, and physically unhealthy when done repeatedly. A good heart-pounding, sweaty workout is uncomfortable in the moment, and physically and emotional strengthening when done repeatedly.
Here’s another example. My wife and I adopted a boy with Down syndrome in April 2016 to add to our family of three sons. It was a decision that we cautiously made and with some level of fear and wonder as to what would happen. While we are still very early in this lifetime journey with him and while the past nearly two years have been more challenging and harder than we certainly imagined, I have personally never felt so much peace, joy and energy. In the many sacrifices (牺牲) required to raise our wonderful son, I believe I have found so much more that would have otherwise been possible.
My goal is to stretch my comfort zone in all that I do as a husband, father, family member, and employee. We only live once and it will be done before we know it. I want to make as much difference as I can in the time that I have here before it all ends. And I really believe that begins with pushing past my comfort zone.
Perhaps you should challenge yourself to get uncomfortable and see where the adventure takes you.
1. What inspired the author to challenge his comfort zone?| A．Being an adoption fundraiser. | B．Some words on a shirt. |
| C．Being physically unhealthy. | D．The coming of 2018. |
| A．makes him happy and energetic | B．seldom brings trouble to his family |
| C．sets a good example for his other sons | D．hardly affects his lifetime journey |
| A．Treasure your comfortable zone. | B．Relax yourself by watching TV. |
| C．Solve problems by yourself. | D．Risk living an uncomfortable life. |
| A．By setting down general rules. | B．By making comparisons. |
| C．By giving examples. | D．By presenting research findings. |
