1 . Volunteering means working for free to help someone else. Mrs. Obama says volunteering is very important. "It should be part of everyone's life,"she says.
Many teens agree. They say that helping others feels great and makes a difference. These days, more teensvolunteer than work for pay. Teens clean up parks, walk dogs at animal shelters, visit the elderly, and more.
Some cities— including Seattle, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.— require high school students to volunteer. Students must volunteer in order to graduate. The student volunteers learn new skills and help their communities( 社区).
Many parents subscribe to the idea they say volunteering helps teens build job skills. But most teens don't want to be forced to volunteer. They say they are busy. And they say volunteering is only fun if it's a choice.
Read both sides of the debate and decide.
Yes
Volunteering can help teens get into college or get a job.
Many cities and towns need help. Volunteers can help keep important programs going.
Not all teens will volunteer if it isn't required. Schools should require students to do all they can to get ready for adult life.
No
Most teens are already very busy with classes, homework, jobs, and sports. Forcing them to do more isn't fair.
It should be up to each person. Helping doesn't feel good if you must do it.
Finding a volunteer job isn't always easy. Students shouldn't be kept from graduating because of something they can't control.
1. It is known from the text that in Washington.D.C.___________.| A．everyone would like to volunteer |
| B．finding a volunteer job is not difficult |
| C．volunteering is a must for college students |
| D．high school students won't graduate if they don't volunteer |
| A．Correct. | B．Like. | C．Stress. | D．Review. |
| A．Volunteer jobs waste students' precious(宝贵的) time. |
| B．Volunteer jobs won't help teens prepare for their adult life. |
| C．Volunteer jobs are not as important as students' homework. |
| D．Students shouldn't be stopped from graduation because of not volunteering. |
| A．Who are best to do volunteer jobs. |
| B．Whether volunteering is good for students. |
| C．What kind of volunteer jobs students should do. |
| D．Whether students should be required to volunteer. |
2 . Scientists have been studying Antarctica for over a century, but details as basic as what it looks like beneath all that ice have largely remained a mystery. Now, Earther reports that a team of scientists from Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and the UK has published the most detailed data yet on the continent's subglacial topography （冰川下的地形）near the South Pole.
As they report in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, central Antarctica is home to three large canyons （峡谷）, one of which is deeper than the Grand Canyon and nearly as wide at some points. The researchers made the discovery by flying a plane with radar over the South Pole, a spot that isn't covered by satellites. They expected to find mountains beneath the ice sheet, but the wide canyons they found between the mountains came as a surprise.
Of the three canyons, two hadn't been documented previously. The largest, the Foundation Trough （基础槽），measures 218 miles long, up to 22 miles wide, and 6,260 feet deep, putting it up there with the planet's most impressive canyons.
The discoveries are significant on their own, but the real purpose behind the research is to better understand how the West and East Antarctic ice sheets will react to rising temperatures. Human-caused climate change has made some of the continent's ice not firm, and the West Antarctic ice sheet especially has been slowly melting to the sea. If patterns continue, the coastal glaciers supporting the large ice sheets could fall down, causing sea levels to rise a minimum of 10 feet. If this happens, the canyons could be a major factor in the speed and direction of ice flow from central Antarctica to the coast.
The event isn't likely to happen in the near future, but further study o£ Antarctica's topography will allow scientists to better predict when it might.
1. Which of the following have scientists known little?| A．The shape of Antarctica ice. |
| B．The condition of Antarctica ice. |
| C．The Grand Canyon. |
| D．The beneath of Antarctica ice. |
| A．The Grand Canyon. |
| B．The mountains. |
| C．Three large canyons. |
| D．Ice sheets. |
| A．Unexpected. | B．Interesting. |
| C．Ridiculous. | D．Common. |
| A．To document the three canyons. |
| B．To find out how large the three canyons are. |
| C．To know how ice sheets react to rising temperatures. |
| D．To show the importance of the three canyons. |
3 . An early morning winter storm had brought several inches of snow in my small town in the mountains.Schools were canceled,roads were dangerous and all I wanted to do was to stay in bed.Still,I knew I had to get the day started so I put on warm clothes and walked outside.The snow got all over my shoes.The cold wind dried my lips and my eyes.My 47 year-old back ached in anticipation（预想）of the shoveling（铲雪）I would have to do if the snow didn't stop soon.
Yet,when I looked out on the white blanket that covered the ground,I couldn't help but smile a bit.It was so beautiful.It softened the bare trees and hid the dead grass.In the distance I could hear the sound of the snowplow on the road,the barking of a happy dog and the laughter of children playing outside,enjoying their way off from school.
The sweet music of that laughter brought back a hundred memories of winters past.I remembered catching snowflakes(雪花)on my tongue,building snowmen,making snow angles,running down hills and always losing snowball fights with first my brothers and then my own children.Standing there in that warmcoat of memories made the wind a little less cold and my back a little less sore.I turned up my head,stuck out my tongue and for the first time in years caught a snowflake on it.It tasted so fresh and clean.It tasted like youth,like joy and like love.
May you always feel young in spirit,no matter how old or achy your body may be.May you always delight in the simple joys of life.May you always share your happiness with the hearts of children.And may you always give your love,your light,your laughter and your warmth to others even on the coldest days.
1. What was the author’s first reaction when he knew it snowed heavily?| A．He was upset. | B．He was happy. |
| C．He was thankful. | D．He was moved. |
| A．my back ached because of the cold weather. |
| B．I didn't want to start my day on such a snowy day. |
| C．my back would ache upon thinking of cleaning up the snow. |
| D．the snow didn't stop and I felt too cold. |
| A．Taste and smell. | B．Sight and smell. |
| C．Smell,hearing and taste. | D．Sight,hearing and taste. |
| A．Appreciate every snowstorm you spend with your family. |
| B．Snow brings both fun and trouble. |
| C．Memories can change our opinion. |
| D．We should stay young at heart. |
4 . With around 100 students scheduled to be in that 9:00 am Monday morning lecture, it is no surprise that almost 20 people actually make it to the class and only 10 of them are still awake after the first 15 minutes; it is not even a surprise that most of them are still in their pajama’s(睡衣). Obviously, students are terrible at adjusting their sleep cycles to their daily schedule.
All human beings possess a body clock. Along with other alerting systems, this governs the sleep/wake cycle and is therefore one of the main processes which govern sleep behaviour. Typically, the preferred sleep/wake cycle is delayed in adolescents, which leads to many students not feeling sleepy until much later in the evenings. This typical sleep pattern is usually referred to as the “night owl” schedule of sleep.
This is opposed to the “early bird” schedule, and is a kind of disorder where the individual tends to stay up much past midnight. Such a person has great difficulty in waking up in the mornings. Research suggests that night owls feel most alert and function best in the evenings and at night. Research findings have shown that about 20 percent of people can be classified as “night owls” and only 10 percent can be classified as “early birds” ------ the other 70 percent are in the middle. Although this is clearly not true for all students, for the ones who are true night owls, this gives them an excellent excuse for missing their lectures which unfortunately fall before midday.
1. What does the author stress in Paragraph 1?| A．Many students are absent from class. |
| B．Students are very tired on Monday mornings. |
| C．Students do not adjust their sleep patterns well. |
| D．Students are not well prepared for class on Mondays. |
| A．Most students prefer to get up late in the morning. |
| B．Students don’t sleep well because of alerting systems. |
| C．One’s body clock governs the sleep/wake cycle independently. |
| D．Adolescents’ delayed sleep/wake cycle isn’t the preferred pattern. |
| A．Criticized | B．Grouped | C．Organized | D．Named |
| A．Functions of the body clock. |
| B．The “night owl” phenomenon. |
| C．Human beings’ sleep behaviour. |
| D．The school schedule of “early birds”. |
5 . A Chinese company says it has created a new facial recognition system that can identify people even if they are wearing masks.
Engineers at the Beijing-based Hanwang Technology Ltd. say their system is the first to be created to effectively identify people wearing face masks. A team of 20 people built the system in about a month. The system is based on existing technologies developed over the past 10 years. The process involved adding a collection of about 6 million unmasked faces and a much smaller collection of masked faces.
Hanwang is now selling two main kinds of products that use the new technology. One performs “single channel” recognition, which is designed to be used at the entrances to buildings. The other product is a “multi-channel” recognition system that uses groups of surveillance cameras (监控摄像头).
“When wearing a mask, the recognition rate can reach about 95 percent, which can ensure that most people can be identified,” said Huang Lei, Hanwang’s vice president. He added that the system’s success rate for people not wearing a mask is about 99.5 percent.
Huang said Hanwang’s technology can be used to identify and track people as they move about. He added the system can identify crime suspects, terrorists or make reports or warnings.
However, the new system struggles to identify people wearing both a mask and sunglasses. “In this situation, all of the key facial information is lost. In such cases recognition is tough,” Huang said.
It was not immediately clear how people were reacting to the new technology. While some have expressed opposition to such tools, many others seem to have showed interest in the new system and accepted it as a way to deal with the current health emergency — the spread of the novel coronavirus (新型冠状病毒). Huang says he sees the interest likely expanding if the virus continues to spread and the use of face masks increases.
1. What is the second paragraph mainly about?| A．Where the company is located. | B．How the system is developed. |
| C．When the research work started. | D．What the collection stands for. |
| A．The poor storage of information. |
| B．The relatively low recognition rate. |
| C．Identifying people with both a mask and sunglasses. |
| D．Tracking the movement of crime suspects and terrorists. |
| A．Unclear. | B．Optimistic. | C．Opposed. | D．Worried. |
| A．A travel brochure. | B．A health magazine. |
| C．A medical paper. | D．A science report. |
6 . In our youth-obsessed culture, one would assume that your self-esteem peaks in your 20s—but that’s not the case. Researchers from the University of Bern set out to determine when the average person’s self-esteem is the highest, and the good news is that your peak comes decades later.
Researchers found that self-esteem increases throughout one’s lifetime, with a slight plateau during those awkward teen years. Our self-esteem levels then start rising again and don’t peak until well into midlife. The highest point for self-esteem level happened at age 60 when they can retire and stayed there until a slight decline in one’s 70s and 80s.
This news that our self-esteem will continue to rise or stay steady during the majority of our lives is exciting. We often hear of increased stress in the decades of midlife, but there are upsides too. “Midlife is, for many adults, a time of high stability in relationships and work. Moreover, most people further invest in their roles, which might promote their self-esteem,” researcher Dr. Orth told the journalist. “For example, people take on managerial roles at work, maintain a satisfying relationship with their spouse or partner, and help their children become responsible and independent.”
As we age and our roles tend to change, it’s natural for self-esteem to take a small hit. “Old age frequently involves loss of social roles as a result of retirement, the empty nest, and, possibly, widowhood. In addition, aging often leads to negative changes in other possible sources of self-esteem, such as socioeconomic status and health.” Dr. Orth said. However, it’s important to remember that it’s only a slight decrease. Dr. Orth believes that most people maintain a high self-esteem level even into their 90s and beyond.
1. Which of the following is the closest in meaning to “peak”?| A．Minimum. | B．Maximum. | C．Average. | D．Height. |
| A．A newly-retired person. | B．A teenage boy. |
| C．A person in his/her 80s. | D．A middle-aged person. |
| A．It is destructive. | B．It is unnatural. |
| C．It is important. | D．It is acceptable. |
| A．A travel guide. | B．A science report. |
| C．A novel. | D．A business magazine. |
7 . Because of the spread of COVID-19, many students are forced to study at home. But parents are worried about how their children can learn more efficiently. The following websites might give you a clue.
Scratch
With Scratch, you can program your own interactive stories, games, and animations — and share your creations with others in the online community. Scratch can be downloaded free of charge. Scratch is designed especially for ages 8 to 16, but is used by people of all ages. Scratch is used in more than 150 different countries and available in more than 40 languages.
Mr. Bob
Mr. Bob is a science teacher, author, maker, and presenter that knows how to share the world of science. Bob encourages parents and teachers to practice Random Acts of Science by providing instructions and videos for interactive science experiments on his website. Bob has also coauthored a very popular series of science adventure books for kids.
Oxford Owl for School
Oxford Owl for School is home to online teaching, learning and assessment resources and expert support for primary schools. Free teaching, learning and assessment resources are provided, including book recommendations, storytelling videos, activity sheets and teaching notes. With a library of free, tablet-friendly eBooks, you’ll find the perfect eBook for every pupil.
The National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization to explore and protect our planet. We fund hundreds of research and conservation projects around the world each year and inspire new generations. Our yellow border serves to explore the farthest reaches of the Earth and beyond. We reach millions of people around the world, with our television networks in 172 countries and our publications available in 41 languages.
1. Which website is most suitable for science lovers?| A．Scratch. | B．Mr. Bob. |
| C．Oxford Owl for School. | D．The National Geographic Society. |
| A．It owns a library in America. | B．It offers materials for students only. |
| C．It provides online books for free. | D．It is suitable for students of all ages. |
| A．They have users worldwide. | B．They choose books for kids to read. |
| C．They are designed especially for kids. | D．They are both nonprofit organizations. |
8 . Kristen Sorensen was 55 when she became paralyzed from the neck down. Diagnosed in October 2018 with a rare disorder that affects the body's nervous system, she never expected to walk again.
But earlier that year, the Brooks Treatment Center in Florida became the first center to use a unique technology developed in Japan --- the Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL). HAL, essentially a wearable machine, helps those with spinal cord (脊髓的)injuries and muscular diseases regain their movements and strengthen their nerves and muscles. Known as exoskeletons, they're a type of lightweight suit, with joints powered by small electric motors, that serve as mechanical muscle. Patients use their brain waves to control them.
When Sorensen heard about the brain wave-controlled exoskeleton, she knew she had to place an order and give it a try. A trained nurse helped her fit HAL over her waist and trousers, connecting her to sensors that help pick up faint bio-electric signals on the surface of the skin, which communicate a patient's intention to move. Once HAL receives these signals, it helps support the person's movements.
After some training and efforts, Sorensen was able to walk at her daughter's wedding a few months later in December. It's a thought that Sorensen shares. "When I used HAL, there were people who came from all over the country to use the equipment," she says. "I would like this kind of technology to be more readily available and more accessible especially to those who learn slowly."
But it's not just those with disabilities or injuries who stand to benefit. By 2050, there will be more than 2 billion people over age 60, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and exoskeletons could offer a solution to the world's aging population.
In the future, as human bodies wear down with age, an exoskeleton - powered by active minds - could help people stay on their feet. With such huge potential applications available, the global medical exoskeleton market will be worth an estimated $2.8 billion by 2023, according to a research company.
1. What do we know about Kristen?| A．She had much difficulties in walking. |
| B．She was paralyzed due to an accident. |
| C．She volunteered in a science experiment. |
| D．She never gave up the hope to walk again. |
| A．brain wave | B．electrical nerve | C．mechanical muscle | D．spinal cord |
①Persons put on HAL.
②Persons are connected to the sensors.
③HAL helps support the person's motion.
④Persons send out intention to move.
⑤Sensors pick up signals and pass them to HAL.
| A．②①④⑤③ | B．①②③④⑤ | C．②①③④⑤ | D．①②④⑤③ |
| A．HAL can now be used with no difficulty |
| B．HAL may have a large potential market |
| C．HAL has been widely used in the world |
| D．HAL can only help people with disabilities |
9 . Although Macao is small, it has all its vital organs. When you come to this unique town, there are experiences you can't miss.
Macao Tower
The Macao Tower, 338 meters tall, is the world’s 10th highest tower, with a variety of activities, such as eating and entertainment. One of the activities is the bungee jump. The AJ Hackett Macao Tower Bungee Jump is 233 meters high, making it a Guinness World Record as the highest commercial bungee jump in the world. Raise your arms and off you go!
Macau Maritime Museum
Occupying an area of 800 square meters, the Macau Maritime Museum was built on the site where the first group of Portuguese explorers landed on Macau in 1553. Enlarged in 1990, the museum follows the typical museum layouts of a European style. The exhibits explore major themes in the history of the maritime industry in Macau and show traditions, fishing techniques and navigation equipment of the fishermen in Macau.
Ruins of St. Paul
The Ruins of St. Paul is the signature landmark of Macao. The ruins consist of the St. Paul's College and the Church of St. Paul, built in 1583. However, after three intense fires in 1595, 1601 and 1835, the church was seriously damaged. Surprisingly, after the vigorous cycles of rebuilding and fires, the huge facade （正面）and the front stairway remain unburned.
Macao Grand Prix
The Macao Grand Prix is a major worldwide car-racing event held annually, attracting over 300 top drivers every year. Racing through the small streets and roads over this tiny city, the Macao Grand Prix circuit is the only street circuit racing in the world for car and motorcycle events. Thus, it is also well-known as one of the world's most demanding circuits.
1. As a bungee enthusiast, Brian will most likely visit .| A．the Macao Grand Prix | B．the Macau Maritime Museum |
| C．the Ruins of St. Paul | D．the Macao Tower |
| A．Enjoy amazing egg tarts. | B．Learn about the sea history of Macau. |
| C．Take a boat to the sea. | D．Listen to tours led by local fishermen. |
| A．It is held annually. | B．It attracts many drivers. |
| C．It features street racing. | D．It offers relics views. |
10 . When visitors to the Palace Museum feel a need to sit down for a cup of tea or find a bathroom without a long line, they soon will be able to turn to their smart phones for the information they need.
This modern day solution comes thanks to an agreement signed on Friday by the museum and Huawei Co., the telecommunication giant, to build a “smart network” using 5G technology. Under the agreement, 5G Wi-Fi signals will cover the Palace Museum, China's royal palace from 1420 to 1911, and the branch museum of the institution under construction in northwestern Beijing.
“It’s essential to always stay close to the latest technology to better serve the public,” said Shan Jixiang, former director of the Palace Museum. Shan said there is still much room for improvement in the handling of a huge number of cultural relics (文物)，such as when the priceless painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival is exhibited again in the future. When it was last exhibited in 2015, visitors stood in long lines until 3 am to get a glimpse. The museum ended up preparing instant noodles to serve the hungry visitors. “I don't want that scenario to reoccur," Shan said. “Our operation can be done in a more scientific way.
The new system will also make use of the closed--circuits television cameras that are set up all over the Palace Museum to safeguard the museum's precious relics. More than 1.86 million of them are housed at the museum, which recorded nearly 20 million visits from the public last year, topping all museums worldwide. “How can we make sure no single visitor who might have evil ideas threatens these treasures?" Shan said. “After adopting the internet of things, we can instantly detect any motion involving the artifacts to prevent such threats.”
The 5G network also will be used to improve remote consultation through webcams, which will facilitate conversations with overseas scholars to jointly find the best answers for restoration and preservation issues.
1. What do we know about the Palace Museum?| A．Its visitors won't have to queue up for the bathroom. |
| B．It has served as China's royal palace for over 500 years. |
| C．It will cooperate with Huawei to promote its management. |
| D．It will set up advanced television cameras for the purpose of safety. |
| A．Disaster. | B．Situation. | C．Operation. | D．Exhibition. |
| A．It is better than any other museums. | B．It has a rich collection of cultural relics. |
| C．It enjoys great popularity all over the world. | D．It faces a tough challenge of protecting relics. |
| A．A Feast for Museum Visitors | B．A Revolution in Exhibition |
| C．A Protector of Cultural Relics | D．A Connection Between Old and New |
