1 . He is regarded as having one of the brightest minds on the planet.But outstanding astrophysicist（天体物理学家）Stephen Hawking admitted that he did not learn to read until he was eight years old.In a public lecture at the Royal Albert Hall,Professor Hawking also admitted that he was not active in studying while at Oxford University,where he studied physics,and that only the diagnosis that he might die young from motor neurone（神经元）disease made him concentrate on his work.
Professor Hawking said,"My sister Philippa could read by the age of 4 and then she was definitely brighter than me."He said that he was unexceptional at school and was never further than halfway up his class."My classwork was very untidy,and my handwriting was the despair of my teachers,"he said."But my classmates gave me the nickname Einstein,so presumably they saw signs of something better."
But he said that it was when doctors told him that he probably only had a few years to live at the age of 21 that he was galvanized into focusing on his work and a period of productivity that resulted in some of his early breakthroughs.He said,"When you are faced with the possibility of an early death,it makes you realize that life is worth living and there are lots of things you want to do."
1. Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?| A．Stephen Hawking is the second Einstein in the world. |
| B．Stephen Hawking couldn't read at the age of 7. |
| C．Stephen Hawking's handwriting was once terribly bad. |
| D．Stephen Hawking's sister once performed much better than him. |
| A．Patience. | B．Knowledge. | C．Disease. | D．Laziness. |
| A．Stephen Hawking didn't realize his dreams in physics. |
| B．It was possible for Hawking to face the early death. |
| C．The purpose of the doctor's diagnosis was to encourage him to work hard. |
| D．His life might be taken away by long hard work. |
| A．His sister. | B．His classmates. | C．His teachers. | D．His parents. |
2 . Seoul is a modern city full of delicious food options (选择) as well as great attractions, historical sights, and places to shop.
Best time to visit
The best month for sightseeing in Seoul is during the warm weather between summer and early fall.
Getting around
In Seoul, you have three main forms of transportation: train, subway, and taxi. The fastest option to get around Seoul is the Airport Railroad Express train. It has two options: the Express and the All-stop. While the All-stop option is cheaper, it’s about 15 minutes slower than the Express. Seoul has one of the largest subway stations in the world with 14 lines. It may seem a bit awful, but once you get used to it, it’s pretty easy.
Another option to get around Seoul is to rent a car. This is one of the least used options as Seoul has a convenient public transportation system.
Places to visit
Everland—the largest theme park in Korea.
Lotte World—a great theme park for kids with never-ending thrill rides.
Seoul Tower—a symbolic skyscraper where you can take breathtaking views of the city. Trickeye 3D museum—if you love photos, you will find strange photos in this museum.
Where to stay
There are lots of places to stay at Seoul. Below are our top recommendations (推荐): Myeongdong is tourists’ popular option. It has great shopping malls, great food, and lively nightlife. You can stay at the Aloft Seoul Myeongdong.
Gangnam is another popular district, which has become famous thanks to the song Gangnam Style. One of the best areas in Gangnam is Garosugil,where you will find cafes, art galleries, retail (零售) stores. A great hotel option in this area is the Dormy Inn Premium Seoul Garosugil.
1. Which month below is the best time to visit Seoul?| A．December. | B．February. | C．April. | D．August. |
| A．Everland. | B．Seoul Tower. | C．Lotte World. | D．Garosugil. |
| A．The Express offers a faster but more expensive service. |
| B．Myeongdong is a great shop favored by tourists. |
| C．Gangnam has become popular only because of a hit song. |
| D．Renting cars is a common way to get around Seoul. |
3 . Rome is recognized across the globe for its classical artwork, but recently the city's street art has been drawing attention. While many urban artists stick to painting murals（壁画），one Italian sculptor is resisting the trend with his wonderful works made from an unusual material. Andrea Gandini, a native of Rome in his early twenties, has been recognized for his wood carvings of old tree trunks scattered across the city's landscape.
Gandini's Trocomorto, or "dead trunk" project, began in 2018, when the artist ran out of sculpting clay. That's when he noticed the remains of an old tree stump in his neighborhood. He realized that Rome was full of potential canvases（画布）just waiting to be given a new life. "Bringing trees back to life" is exactly how Gandini and others describe his art.
Due to years of poor care by the city, many trees became diseased and had to be cut down. This resulted in lots of old stumps that degraded the streets of Rome, which were costly to remove. However, they have been a perfect canvas of Gandini, who has completed over 50 carvings across the city.
Gandini gives each old tree trunk a face and personality of its own. By recognizing each formerly living tree as individual, he hopes to give them some dignity in death and respect each of them with their own headstone of sorts. For those that can't make the trip to Rome, Gandini documents his works of art on Facebook.
Gandini's “dead trunk" project reminds us of what Auguste Rodin says, "There is no lack of beauty in the world, but a lack of eyes to find it." All is beautiful in the eyes of the artist, for his keen eye sees through the heart of all living things. To discover its character is to pierce its outer form and touch its inner truth. This "truth" is also "beauty".
1. What has drawn people's attention recently in Rome according to the passage?| A．Its classical artwork. | B．Its traditional murals. |
| C．Its street wood carvings. | D．Its unusual material. |
| A．They are full of life. | B．They follow the trend of murals. |
| C．They beautify the city. | D．They are appreciated by some artists. |
| A．Dignity and respect. | B．Beauty and kindness. |
| C．Hope and personality. | D．Death and art. |
| A．Beauty is always around for keen eyes. |
| B．Inner truth is difficult to find. |
| C．We live in a world lacking beauty. |
| D．Grandini is a person who loves nature and truth. |
4 . With self-driving vehicle technology rapidly advancing, many companies are turning to autonomous robots for the final leg of the delivery process, from the store or local distribution center to the customer. The latest to join the trend is e-commerce giant Amazon. Following a successful eight-month test run in Snohomish County, Washington, the company’s Scout robots have been making the rounds of Irvine, California, since August 6, 2019.
The six-wheeled Scout is about the size of a large cooler with the capacity to carry small or medium-sized packages. The battery-powered vehicle, which moves at a regular walking pace, has been programmed to avoid pedestrians, animals, and unexpected obstacles, such as garbage cans. Its powerful sensors can also detect the movement of a car backing out of a driveway.
To accelerate Scout’s development and bring it nationwide sooner, the company has created several detailed virtual maps of American suburbs and conducted trial deliveries to homes there.
Though Amazon has not shown how Scout ensures the delivery is picked up by the right person, it most likely requires the customers to apply a unique code, texted to them prior to the delivery, to unlock the store box. Also unclear is the number of deliveries Scout can complete before its battery needs to be recharged. Though the initial tests are being conducted with a human for company, the robot will be autonomous in the future. Its location, however, will be tracked at all times—if someone attempts to steal Scout, Amazon employees will be instantly sensed.
However, the eco-friendly robots are unable to climb stairs or open gates, which means that they can only reach consumers who live on the ground level. Additionally, the robots are unable to leave packages at the front door if the customers are not home. Whether these problems get resolved remains to be seen. For now, it appears that humans will still be needed to achieve the ever-growing demand for home and office deliveries.
1. Which of the following descriptions about Scout is right?| A．They can be powered themselves. | B．They are strong enough to carry big things. |
| C．They can run with their six wheels. | D．They can avoid obstacles ahead. |
| A．How many deliveries it can do on a full charge. | B．Whether it can climb stairs or open gates. |
| C．How it recognizes the right owner of the things. | D．How long it will take to get it fully charged. |
| A．due to | B．after | C．in front of | D．before |
| A．They are not easily available. | B．They have some limitations. |
| C．They will replace humans soon. | D．They won’t be well accepted. |
5 . Nowadays, many parents are so busy that they seldom have family meals with their children. But this is wrong.
A Harvard study found that families that eat together are twice as likely to eat their five servings of fruits and vegetables a day as families who don't eat together. Families also eat less fried food when they eat together. Finally, children who regularly eat with family have diets higher in fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamins B6, B12, C and E.
During family meals, parents can set a good example of healthy eating that children may follow. They also display polite table manners. Family meals teach children important skills.
When a family eats together, kids can learn about nutrition and healthy eating. In many studies of schoolaged children, those who eat family meals have a higher level of nutrition knowledge.
When a family eats together, kids learn about food safety, like hand washing before eating.
Children who have company at meals are slimmer than those who eat alone. That's because they eat less, eat more slowly, and talk more. This is a good way to deter obesity in children.
Family meals can help children build vocabulary. Studies showed kids who ate with their families performed better at school and had a broader vocabulary. Family meals offer an opportunity for conversations where kids learn vocabulary—building words to help them read and communicate better.
Children gain a better sense of belonging within the family when they eat together with their parents at home. Family meals offer a time for a family to come together as a group and develop a feeling of belonging. That sense of belonging leads to better selfesteem.
In conclusion, family meals are very important.
1. The writer wants to tell us that .| A．eating together with family is a good chance to teach children |
| B．it's more advantageous for children to eat with their families |
| C．it's desirable for children to eat more regularly |
| D．enjoying family meals is equal to eating a big and delicious dinner |
| A．Having a company meal is easy to become fatter and fatter. |
| B．In the mealtime, parents should set a good example of healthy eating. |
| C．Family meals can help children with a higher level of nutrition knowledge. |
| D．Family meals can make children form the good habit of eating. |
| A．Find. | B．Replace. |
| C．Prevent | D．Improve. |
| A．Why family is important to kids. | B．How to eat in a healthy way. |
| C．How to raise children well. | D．Why family meals are important. |
6 . The art of public speaking began in ancient Greece over 2,000 years go. Now, twitter, instant messaging, e-mail, blogs and chat forums offer rival approaches to communication - but none can replace the role of a great speech.
The spoken word can handle various vital functions: persuading or inspiring, informing, paying tribute, entertaining, or simply introducing someone or something or accepting something. Over the past year, the human voice has helped guide us over the ups and downs of what was certainly a stormy time.
Persuasion is used in dealing with or reconciling different points of view. When the leaders met in Copenhagen in December 2009, persuasive words from activists encouraged them to commit themselves to firmer action. Inspirational speeches confront the emotions. They focus on topics and matters that are close to people's hearts. During wars, generals used inspiring speeches to prepare the troops for battle.
A speech that conveys knowledge and enhances understanding can inform us. The information must be clear, accurate, and expressed in meaningful and interesting way. When the H1N1 pandemic（流行病）was announced, the idea of "swine flu" scared many people. Informative speeches from World Health Organization officials helped people to keep their panic under control so they could take sensible precautions.
Sad events are never easy to deal with, but a speech that pays tribute to the loss of a loved one and gives praise for their contribution can be comforting. Madonna's speech about Michael Jackson, after his death, highlighted the fact that he will continue to live on through his music.
It's not only in world forums where public speaking plays an important role. It can also be surprisingly helpful in the course of our own lives.
If you're taking part in a debate you need to persuade the listeners of the soundness of your argument. In sports, athletes know the importance of a pep talk（鼓舞士气的讲话）before a match to inspire teammates. You yourself may be asked to do a presentation at college or work to inform the others about an area of vital importance.
On a more personal level, a friend may be upset and need comforting. Or you might be asked to introduce a speaker at a family event or to speak at a wedding, where your language will be needed to move people or make them laugh.
Great speaking ability is not something we're born with. Even Barack Obama works hard to perfect every speech. For a brilliant speech, there are rules that you can put to good use. To learn those rules, you have to practice and learn from some outstanding speeches in the past.
1. The author thinks the spoken word is still irreplaceable because _______.| A．it has always been used to inspire or persuade people. |
| B．it has a big role to play in the entertainment business. |
| C．it plays important roles in human communication. |
| D．it is of great use in everyday-life context. |
| A．Speeches at world forums can lead to effective solutions to world problems. |
| B．Speeches from medical authorities can calm people down in times of pandemics. |
| C．The morale of soldiers before a battle can be boosted by senior officers' speeches. |
| D．Speeches paying tribute to the dead can comfort the mourners. |
| A．It comes from observing rules. |
| B．It can be perfected with easy effort. |
| C．It can be acquired from birth. |
| D．It comes from learning and practice. |
| A．Public speaking in international forums. |
| B．The many uses of public speaking. |
| C．Public speaking in daily life context. |
| D．The rules of public speaking. |
7 . Stories Behind Famous Company Names
| Inventor Caleb Bradham had originally wanted to be a doctor but started working in a pharmacy when he returned home to North Carolina. In 1893, he made up what he first called “Brad’s Drink,” a mix of water, sugar, caramel, lemon oil, nutmeg, and other flavors. Five years later, he renamed it Pepsi-Cola. He claimed the drink could help with digestion(消化), or dyspepsia, the term from which Bradham adapted the name Pepsi. |
| This luxury car maker combined elements from the Ford and Oldsmobile companies when it was started in 1902 and later became known for its innovation and high quality. The company was named after the French explorer Antoine Laumet de la Mothe Cadillac, who founded the city of Detroit in 1701. |
| Company co-founder Gordon Bowker has said that while brainstorming names, someone brought out a map that featured the old mining town of Starbo. That may have led him to think of Starbuck, the first mate in Herman Melville’s famous novel, Moby Dick. Not only the company name but also the origin of its logo has aroused great curiosity. |
| The inventor of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf, was looking to make an elegant, yet precise, wristwatch. He wanted a name that was easy to say, worked in different languages, and looked good on the watches. He settled on Rolex in 1908. |
| A．Pepsi | B．Cadillac |
| C．Starbucks | D．Rolex |
| A．Caleb Bradham aimed to cure dyspepsia with Pepsi. |
| B．Hans Wilsdorf intended Rolex to be universally accepted. |
| C．Cadillac was named after the founding father of the company. |
| D．Starbucks was used due to the co-founder’s love for his hometown. |
| A．a famous company name is easy to spell |
| B．a special story can make a company famous |
| C．a company name usually has a special meaning in it |
| D．a company name is related to the founder’s profession |
8 . When you have looked through our brochure(手册) and have chosen two or three cottages(小木屋) you would like to stay in, please phone our Holiday Booking Office. The number is: 01225 892299.
31st March to 20th October
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday closed
Sunday closed
21st October to 30th March
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday closed
When a reservation(预订) has been made, it will be held for 7 days. We will give you a holiday reference number and ask you to complete the holiday booking form and return it, with a deposit(订金) of ONE THIRD of the cottage rental.
IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR COMPUTED AND SIGNED BOOKING FORM WITH A DEPOSIT WITHIN 7 DAYS, WE REGRET THAT YOUR RESERVATION WILL BE CANCELLED.
When we receive your booking form and deposit, your reservation will be confirmed-we will send you a Booking Confirmation, together with advice on how to reach your holiday cottage and the telephone number of a local contact so that you can get further details on the cottage before leaving home.
ARRIVAL
Please do not arrive at your holiday cottage before 3:30 p.m. or later than 7:00 p.m.
DEPARTURE
On the morning of departure, please leave your holiday property(住所) by 10 a.m. to allow caretakers enough time to prepare the property for the next visitors. We ask that you please leave the property as you found it. Please do not move the furniture as this can cause damage to the furniture.
LAST-MINUTE BOOKINGS
If you wish to make a last-minute booking, please telephone the Holiday Booking Office to check availability. If your reservation is made within 10 weeks of the holiday start date, full payment is due when booking.
ELECTRICITY
In most Wessex Cottages electricity must be paid for in addition to the holiday price. In some cottages, electricity is included in the rental and in very few there is no electricity at all.
1. What should you know about your booking?| A．The reservation can be made on weekends. |
| B．You need to fill a form before booking. |
| C．A deposit of one third of the cottage rental is needed. |
| D．The reservation of a cottage will be kept for 7 hours. |
| A．At 9:30 a.m. | B．At 9:00 a.m. |
| C．At 4:30 p.m. | D．At 5:00 p.m. |
| A．There is no electricity in many cottages. |
| B．Electricity price is more expensive than the holiday price. |
| C．Electricity is included in the rental in most cottages. |
| D．You don’t need to pay for it additionally in some cottages. |
| A．Full payment is unnecessary when booking. | B．Cottages may be unavailable. |
| C．The cost is lower than before. | D．Additional charges may be made. |
Aunt Em dropped her work and came to the door. One glance told her of the danger close at hand. “Quick, Dorothy!” she screamed. “Run for the cellar!” Toto jumped out of Dorothy’s arms and hid under the bed, and the girl started to get him. Aunt Em, badly frightened, threw open the trap door in the floor and climbed down the ladder into the small, dark hole. Dorothy caught Toto at last and started to follow her aunt. When she was halfway across the room there came a great roar from the wind, and the house shook so hard that she lost her footing and sat down suddenly upon the floor.
Then a strange thing happened. The house circled around two or three times and rose slowly through the air. Dorothy felt as if she were going up in a balloon. It was very dark, and the wind blew horribly around her, but Dorothy found she was riding quite easily. After the first few twists and turns, and one other time when the house tipped badly, she felt as if she were being rocked gently, like a baby in a cradle (摇篮). Toto did not like it. He ran about the room, now here, now there, barking loudly; but Dorothy sat quite still on the floor and waited to see what would happen.
At last she crawled over the swinging floor to her bed, and lay down upon it; and Toto followed and lay down beside her. In spite of the swinging of the house and the crying of the wind, Dorothy soon closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.
1. What does the underlined word “cyclone” in paragraph 1 probably mean?| A．deadline | B．flood | C．monster | D．tornado |
| A．To find the puppy Toto. | B．To find shelter from the cyclone. |
| C．To protect their fortune. | D．To get tools to help Henry. |
| A．She managed to control the house. | B．She found herself flying in a balloon. |
| C．She turned baby crying loudly. | D．She remained undisturbed with Toto. |
| A．Afraid and brave. | B．Curious and tired. |
| C．Flexible and calm. | D．Excited and thrilled. |
10 . Online shopping is a type of remote transaction as it is a purchase agreement reached by two parties through the transmission of network information. The purchaser places an order and makes payment, and the seller is required to ship the merchandise within 24-48 hours. However, if the seller is out of stock, then the merchandise cannot be shipped on time, so the consumer faces the risk of having to wait for a long time. If there is a holiday, the merchandise tends to be delayed due to the logistics(物流) companies being busy. Moreover, your merchandise may be damaged during transportation or delivery process. Re-order or reshipment also takes time. Consumers are advised to avoid the peak of online shopping when purchasing fresh and urgently needed products. Close attention should also be paid to logistics information after payment.
Customers who shop online are required to register as a member on the corresponding shopping website. When registering, certain personal information is required. Some websites need your personal information such as your contacts and bank card account, otherwise you will not be able to complete the transaction. Some computer hackers may obtain your personal information through certain means, and illegally make use of the information to threaten your personal and property safety. At the same time, the development of the modern logistics industry may also let out your private information. When sending and receiving deliveries, you need to fill in the contact number of both parties to facilitate communication, which, however, may also compromise privacy.
Returning the products purchased online may be troublesome. The customer will get in touch with the seller to request a return when the quality or the description of the product received does not match the advertisement. The seller may refuse the return for various reasons. Even if the relevant authority steps in, there might be a lack of evidence and thus it may be concluded hastily. Since online shopping is a long-distance transaction, it is difficult to guarantee the after-sales service of some goods. Once the product breaks down in later use, it will be difficult to guarantee after-sales rights protection.
1. The reason why a consumer may wait for a long time might not include______.| A．the selling party lack goods. |
| B．the purchaser is busy. |
| C．goods are not transported at the expected time. |
| D．your goods may be broken when it is delivered. |
| A．go to a physical store in person. | B．escape the rush hour. |
| C．buy them during a holiday. | D．pay little attention to logistics information. |
| A．Your personal information may be let out. |
| B．Customers should register in person. |
| C．You are threatened by the hackers. |
| D．Logistics industry leaks your privacy. |
| A．The long delivery risks | B．Consumer rights protection risks |
| C．Personal privacy leakage risks | D．Online shopping risks |
