1 . Mary Anning was an English fossil collector, dealer and paleontologist(古生物学家). Her fossil-hunting helped change the way people thought about the world.
Mary was born into a poor family in England on May 21, 1799. She lived in the seaside town of Lyme Regis, in Dorset. The family had nine children. Only Mary and her brother Joseph grew up. Mary’s father took his children along the beach. They picked up shells and stones to sell to visitors. Mary did not go to school much. Her family was too poor. And schools did not teach children about fossils. Mary could read and write. She taught herself. She learned about rocks and how bodies are made.
In 1811 when Mary and Joseph were fossil hunting, Joseph saw a bone sticking out of the rock. Mary had a hammer to chip away at the rock. Very carefully she uncovered it. She found the first complete fossil of the ichthyosaur(鱼龙).
Since then, Mary became crazy about fossil hunting. She liked to hunt on the beach after a storm. The wind, rain and waves made the rocks crumble It was easy to spot fossils. Most days Mary went fossil hunting with her dog, Tray.
Rich friends helped Mary by selling fossils for her. They sent her money. Scientists wrote letters and came to see her. One good friend was William Buckland, a professor at Oxford University. Mary also opened a shop to sell fossils, stones and shells. She chatted with visitors.
Mary Anning died inl847. How evolution(进化)works was explained by Charles Darwin not long after Mary died. Her fossils had helped scientists understand how things began.
1. Why did Mary’s father take his children along the beach?| A．To enjoy life. | B．To make a living. |
| C．To look for fossils. | D．To teach them about fossils. |
| A．Her father was a paleontologist. | B．Her father educated her at home. |
| C．She had nine brothers and sisters in all. | D．She might be popular at that time. |
| A．Charles Darwin. | B．Mary’s dog. | C．Mary. | D．Joseph. |
| A．break | B．shake | C．float | D．dive |
2 . There was a time when a trip to the supermarket in the United States often ended with a seemingly simple question from the cashier, "Paper or plastic？"Well, which type of bag would you choose？
While both types of bags have some influence on the environment, it has long been supposed that paper bags are kinder. They are made from a renewable source, are broken down easily, burn without giving off thick smoke and can be recycled. However, the producing process behind paper bags uses more energy than that of plastic ones. How can this be true？
Studies show that paper bag production requires four times as much energy as plastic bag production.
And the amount of water used to make them is twenty times higher. Besides, the influence on forests is very serious. It takes about fourteen million trees to produce ten billion paper bags, which happen to be the number of bags used in the United States yearly. In terms of recycling, the idea that paper bags are more environment friendly than plastic ones can be quickly discarded. Research shows it requires about 98% less energy to recycle plastic than it does to recycle paper.
Even though paper bags might be more harmful than plastic ones, plastic still seems to be considered as the more harmful of the two by governments. In Ireland, for example, a tax has been introduced to discourage the use of plastic bags. People have to pay 22 cents for every plastic bag, and as a result, their use has dropped quickly.
There’s no doubt that it makes more sense to reuse these bags. However, we don’t seem to be doing that at present. That may be because they fall apart quickly. If so, cloth bags are a better choice, but still, their production also has a bad influence on the environment. So what to do? How should we answer the question of “Paper or plastic?” It seems that we first need to ask ourselves one more general question: “What can I do to help the environment?”
1. The question at the end of Paragraph 1 is used to ________.| A．introduce points for discussion |
| B．tell readers how to save money |
| C．express the author's doubts |
| D．show the kindness of the cashier |
| A．take more time to break down |
| B．require less energy to recycle |
| C．need more water to produce |
| D．have less influence on forests |
| A．share | B．put forward |
| C．discuss | D．give up |
| A．Paper or cloth? |
| B．A new bag or your own one? |
| C．A small bag or big one? |
| D．Paper or plastic？ |
3 . Cameron is no ordinary dog, and not just because he was born on Valentine's Day. To Maggie, a first grader at Burgundy Farm Country Day School, the dog who spends most days on campus is more like a friend. When Cameron is near, Maggie feels "really, really, happy," she said, "I feel safe around him, she added. "He '11 lie down and ask me to scratch his tummy," she explained, because Cameron likes Maggie.
Cameron is one of a handful of dogs at Burgundy, a K-8 private day school in Alexandria, Virginia. Dogs started showing up there when the head of school, Jeff Sindler, brought his clumsy Labrador, Luke, to the main office building where Sindler works. After Luke died, Sindler adopted Cameron and brought him to campus, too, where the dog Maggie described as really cute" became a school favorite.
“They don’t care if you are good at basketball or a great reader, or popular," Sindler said. “They just want to be loved — equal opportunity," he added. "Cameron and the other dogs on campus—are always fastened with a rope and with their owner一go a long way toward improving students' social and emotional well-being," he said. They reduce tension and ease anxiety, and inspire happy feelings from students.
“They bring out some important emotions/' he said, “and are especially helpful to children and adults who struggle in social communication, Children often came from challenging backgrounds: many lived in poverty, or had to travel through dangerous neighborhoods to get to school, or shared a too-crowded home. When these emotionally needy children met the dogs, they relaxed and were more prepared to learn.
Just as important, dogs on school grounds set a positive, welcoming tone. They help preserve the school climate that is accepting, supportive and curious・"Dogs are one way to hold on to Sindler said, adding that "schools should be fun and exciting, and dogs can be a big part of that."
For Sindler, including Cameron was all part of an effort to create a safe environment where learning could flourish.
1. What makes the dog Cameron really special?| A．His rare species | B．His particular birthmark. |
| C．His attractive appearance. | D．His friendly nature. |
| A．By playing fetch together fondly. |
| B．By offering them comfort equally. |
| C．By playing basketball together freely. |
| D．By walking a long way together happily. |
| A．A positive tom. | B．The school ground. |
| C．A welcoming attitude. | D．The school atmosphere. |
| A．To encourage schools to bring in more dogs. |
| B．To explain why dogs help students with learning. |
| C．To introduce a way to help students grow healthily, |
| D．To explore the possibility to challenge no-dog rules. |
4 . On average ,Americans spend about 10 hours a day in front of a computer or other electronic devices and less than 30 minutes a day outdoors. That is a claim made by David Strayer, a professor of psychology at the University of Utah. In his 2017 TED Talk , Strayer explained that all this time spent with technology is making our brains tired.
Using an electronic device to answer emails, listen to the news and look at Facebook puts a lot of pressure on the front of the brain, which, Strayer explains , is important for critical (有判断力的)thinking , problem-solving and decision-making.
So, it is important to give the brain a rest. And being in naure , Strayer claims , helps get a tired brain away from too much technology. More than 15,000 campers from around the world attended an international camping festival in September. That is when friends and family take time off and escape to nature for several days. They take walks, climb, explore , swim, sleep, eat and play. Camping may be just what a tired brain needs.
Take Carl for example .He lives in West Virginia and enjoys camping . He says that staying outdoors makes him feel at ease. It also prepares him for the work he must do. Kate Somers is another example who also lives in West Virginia. She says she enjoys camping with her husband and two children . She calls it a “regenerative” experience.
At the University of Utah , David Strayer has studied both short-term and long-term exposure to nature. He found that spending short amounts of time in nature without technology does calm the brain and helps it to remember better. However ,he found , it is the long-term contact with nature that does the most good. He and his research team found that spending three days in nature without any technology is enough time for the brain to fully relax and reset itself.
1. What is David Strayer’s opinion ?| A．Americans dislike outdoor activities |
| B．Electronic equipment should be quitted |
| C．New technologies are a double-edged sword |
| D．Electronic equipment brings great convenience |
| A．To try another lifestyle | B．To refresh our brain |
| C．To make better decisions. | D．To play with our family and friends |
| A．Reborn | B．Memorable | C．Remarkable | D．Tiring |
| A．Electronic Equipment Harms the Brain |
| B．Good Rest Develops Good Memory |
| C．Tips on Using New Technologies |
| D．Being in Nature Is Good for the Brain |
5 . Hiking is a great way to get active and reduce stress while you are exploring the city.Visit our page to find some of the best free walking tours across New York City.
Community Days at Conference House Park
Wednesday ,September 19, 2018 12:00p.m.---2:00p.m.
Enjoy new gardens at the Visitor Center. Explore and help repair the three self-designed gardens: vegetable, native plant, and sculpture. Experience kids crafts，adult art programs, Tai Chi and more in this lovely setting.
Position: Conference House Park, 298 Satterlee Street, Staten Island
Event Organizer: Conference House Park
Phone Number: (718)227-1463
Contact Email: john.kilcullen@parks .nyc.qov
Greenbelt on the Go
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 10:00a.m.---11:30a.m.
Join us for relaxing walks through our parks. Enjoy the pretty views of them, as we point out a few of the distinct features that make each park special. The length of each hike will be determined by the pace of the group. Registration is required.To register, please email naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org before August 14.
Position: Greenbelt Nature Center in Blood Root Valley, 700 Rockland Avenue at Brielle Avenue Staten Island
Event Organizer: Staten Island Greenbelt Conservancy, Greenbelt Environmental Education Department
Phone Number: (718)351-3450
Contact Email: naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org
Adult Afternoon Hikes
Wednesday, October 10,2018 1:30p.m.---3:00p.m.
Get familiar with the Greenbelt and local parks by hiking with other adults !You’re encouraged to bring small meals and drinks for the break time.
Position: Greenbelt Nature Center in Blood Root Valley, 700 Rockland Avenue at Brielle Avenue Staten Island
Event Organizer: Staten Island Greenbelt Conservancy, Greenbelt Environmental Education Department
Phone Number: (718)351-3450
Contact Email: naturecenter@sigreenbelt.org
The South Pole at Wards Point
Thursday ,November 15,2018 7:00a.m.---7:00p.m.
The three miles of nearby natural shoreline are a sandy beach. Shells ,rocks , and stones of every shape and size can be found here. Not to be missed are the park’s other attractions: acres of woodland ,four galleries, and five historic houses!
Position: Conference House Park Visitor Center in Conference House Park ,298 Satterlee Street ,Staten Island
Event Organizer: Conference House Park
Contact Email: john.kilcullen@parks .nyc.qov
1. Which walking tour may attract people interested in Chinese culture?| A．Community Days at Conference House Park |
| B．Greenbelt on the Go |
| C．Adult Afternoon Hikes |
| D．The South Pole at Wards Point |
| A．The length of the hike is settled |
| B．People will visit three distinct parks |
| C．It takes place in Conference House Park |
| D．Visitors need to register in advance |
| A．They are all for adults. |
| B．They all charged no fees |
| C．They’re held by the same organizer. |
| D．They require visitors to bring food. |
6 . The 92-year-old, thin, calm and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, even though she is nearly blind, moved to a nursing home today.
Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the hall of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready.
As she walked slowly to the elevator, I provided a true description of her tiny room, including the old sheets that had been hung on her window. “I love it,” she said with the happiness of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
“Mrs. Jones, you haven’t seen the room…just wait.”
“That doesn’t matter,” she replied. “Happiness is something you decide ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged. It’s how I arranged my mind. I have already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away.” She went on to explain, “Old age is like a bank account. You take what you’ve put in. So, my advice to you would be to put in a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories. Thank you for your part in filling my memory bank.” And with a smile, she said, “All my memories are happy ones.”
Mrs. Jones was always happy in the nursing home and she died at the age of 108.
1. We can infer from the passage that the author ________.| A．is one of Mrs. Jones’ children | B．is a relative of Mrs. Jones |
| C．works in the nursing home | D．is the owner of the nursing home |
| A．is very comfortable | B．is fairly big |
| C．isn’t well equipped | D．is equipped with new furniture |
| A．couldn’t see what her room was like |
| B．thought the nursing home was her home |
| C．would have to live in the nursing home |
| D．had already made up her mind to be happy |
| A．Proud. | B．Cheerful. | C．Determined. | D．Honest. |
7 . We talk about people being “colour-blind” but very few of us are. Even those who describe themselves as colour-blind are normally just colour lack. A strongly, colour-blind person will still be able to tell 20 different colours, compared to the 100 or so that normal-sighted people see.
Pingelap, a tiny island in the Pacific, is a beautiful spot but one that has a’ genetic trouble. It is known as Colour-blind Island because so many people who live on this remote island can only sec in black and white.
Not being able to see in colour is bad enough. But one is lander, Herrol, who’s a fisherman, also struggles in full sunlight because all he sees is a painful burnt-out image. “I find it difficult to go outside in the sun,” he says, “because when it’s sunny I cannot see to do my work.”
But if being truly colour-blind is rare, why is it that around 10% of the population of Pingelap live in a totally black and white world?
Well, we know that in 1780 the population of Pingelap was all but wiped out by a tsunami (海啸). As few as 20 people survived, one of whom was the king. It’s believed he had a genetic fault that causes colour-blindness and he passed this fault on to his many generations.
There is one advantage. Herrol can see well, really well, in the dark. So when it gets dark, Herrol and his friends get in their boats and hunt flying fish. They hang up flaming torches and the fish are attracted to the flames. “This type of fishing is fun,” Herrol says, “especially if we catch plenty. So even though it’s hard work we enjoy it.”
1. What is Pingelap famous as?| A．A tiny island. |
| B．A beautiful island. |
| C．A mentally troubled island. |
| D．A colour-blind island. |
| A．He may stay at home when it’s sunny. |
| B．He is interested in burnt-out images. |
| C．He likes taking photos very much. |
| D．He doesn’t live in Pingelap any more. |
| A．Because Pingelap often suffers from tsunamis. |
| B．Because the king had an unlucky marriage. |
| C．Because the king’s genetic fault played a role. |
| D．Because the king made a serious mistake. |
| A．The island of colour-blindness. |
| B．The disadvantage of Herrol. |
| C．The history of Pingelap. |
| D．The advantage of colour-blindness. |
8 . No trip to Windsor could possibly be complete without a visit to amazing Windsor Castle, the family home to British kings and queens for over 1,000 years. The size of the Castle is breath-taking. In fact, it is the largest and oldest occupied Castle in the world and it’s where Her Majesty The Queen chooses to spend most of her private weekends. You might even time your visit when she is in residence! The marriage of Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle took place in Windsor on Saturday, 19 May , 2018.They became the sixteenth royal couple to celebrate their marriage at Windsor Castle since 1863. Windsor Castle offers something for everyone with so many areas to explore.
Visit the magnificent State Apartments, furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto.
Take in the splendor of St George's Chapel, location of the wedding of Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle, the burial place of 10 Kings including Henry VIII and Charles I, and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England.
Be amazed at Queen Mary's Dolls’ House, the largest, most beautiful and most famous dolls’ house in the world, created in the 1920s and filled with thousands of objects made by leading craftsmen, artists and designers of the time.
Imagine being entertained by royalty in the Semi-State Rooms, the spectacular private apartments open to visitors from September to March each year. Richly decorated, they are used by The Queen for hosting her guests.
1. What do we know about Windsor Castle?| A．The Queen seldom lives in Windsor Castle. |
| B．Tourists are not allowed to visit the Castle if The Queen is there. |
| C．Windsor Castle has witnessed many royal weddings. |
| D．Windsor Castle is the oldest castle in the world. |
| A．Famous paintings by great artists. |
| B．Beautiful dolls created in the 19th century. |
| C．The wedding place of 10 Kings. |
| D．The place where The Queen entertains her guests. |
| A．State Apartments | B．St George's Chapel |
| C．Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House | D．Semi-State Room. |
9 . For Zack, the shave was more than just a way to fund lifesaving research. It was a way to honor his late brother, Taylor Frink.
Taylor, a volunteer firefighter in North Carolina, was killed in a car accident last September. Before his passing, Taylor was an eager supporter of St. Baldrick’s. He went bald（秃头）for the cause in 2015, supporting kids with cancer and raising money to find cures.
As a local hero, Taylor was beloved by the community. When he died, more than 1,000 people attended his funeral to pay their respects. Zack looked up to his brother and this was the reason why he decided to become a junior firefighter himself. They did everything together, Zack remembers.
Zack knew his brother had planned to shave again in 2016, so without hesitation he decided to fill his shoes and registered to shave at the local St. Baldrick’s event in Kinston, N.C.
“He was always goodhearted, and I want to make my brother proud,” shares Zack.
As part of Zack’s kindnesses, he raised more than $ 1,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation primarily by selling T-shirts he designed. Leading up to the event, Zack also visited his city council, commissioner’s office and challenged the local official department to get involved.
“We are not going to let Taylor's name be forgotten. That is what I love about St Baldrick’s,” says Jean Culbreth, volunteer event organizer. “Zack gets it. He gets that what he is doing is keeping his brother’s name alive.”
The day finally came and Zack took his seat under the clippers（剪具）, not only to honor his brother but to help kids with cancer. It was a special moment for all, and by the end of the day the event had raised more than $22,000!
1. Why did Taylor Frink go bald?| A．Because he suffered from cancer. |
| B．To attract people’s sympathy for him. |
| C．Because he wanted to look cooler. |
| D．To help raise money for cancer cures. |
| A．He followed Taylor’s example. |
| B．He sold clippers to raise money. |
| C．He decided to work at St. Baldrick’s. |
| D．He persuaded his workmates to join his cause. |
| A．Zack designs T-shirts for children with cancer. |
| B．Zack has tried to get official support. |
| C．Zack raised more than $ 22,000 by selling his T-shirts. |
| D．Zack works hard for St. Baldrick’s to get his name remembered. |
| A．the result of the volunteer event |
| B．the reason for raising money |
| C．the aim of Zack’s behavior |
| D．the meaning of Taylor’s death |
10 . Look at the map of Spain and point at the center. You've located the country's capital and one of Europe's most beautiful cities: Madrid. This popular destination is considered a city of contrasts with its abundant historic sites, resting in the shadows of modern skyscrapers.
History
This city of over 3 million people is proud of Western Europe's largest royal palace, and some consider it to be Madrid's most beautiful building.
Inside the Royal Palace 2,800 rooms are decorated in glory with museum-quality furniture and artworks. Tourists can tour 50 of these large and splendid rooms.
Art
The Internationally respected Prado Museum is the largest and most impressive art gallery in Spain. Opened in 1819, it is filled with works of art that feature the world's most comprehensive collection of Spanish paintings.
Shopping
Madrid has some of Europe's best shopping, and potential buyers love to look through the stores looking for bargains. But for 500 years, shoppers have gathered to an extremely large outdoor flea market known as the Rastro where they find everything from antiques to CDs.
Entertainment
No trip to Madrid is complete without seeing a performance of Spain's famous art form, flamenco. Every day, flamenco performers sing, dance or play the guitar in small cafes and grand theaters alike.
Food
Madrid has a wide variety of restaurants, but because the Spanish typically eat late at about 9 or 10 p.m., it's difficult to find good dinner food earlier. If you get hungry before then, the best solution is to try a tapas bar where light snacks are served. Be sure to try the jamon, a kind of dry-cured ham: Spain is famous for it.
1. What do we know about the Royal Palace in Madrid?| A．It has 50 rooms for visit. |
| B．It can hold 2, 800 people. |
| C．It's been visited by 3 million people. |
| D．It is thought to be the largest in Europe. |
| A．For discount. |
| B．For artworks. |
| C．To sell various goods. |
| D．To sell antiques and CDs. |
| A．Having dinner earlier. |
| B．Enjoying flamenco. |
| C．Visiting Prado Museum. |
| D．Drinking in a tapas bar. |
