1 . Life beneath the sea surface can be lovely and lively. But many organisms there produce poisonous chemicals to hunters. Divers are now collecting such poisons as drugs for human medicine.

Sharks aren't the scariest things in the ocean for scientists who dive to work. Powerful currents, creating where the ocean floor drops away, can be just as deadly. But the scientists who work underwater are trained to deal with these dangers. The rewards of research and underwater adventures are greater than the risks.

The sea may seem like a strange place to look for new drugs. But organisms in the ocean have had to adapt to a tough environment. The chemicals they make for survival might help people, too. More than 50 years ago, scientists discovered a new anti­cancer drug in a sea sponge. Since then, researchers have been hunting for more of such useful natural products in the seas.

With the help of underwater robots and small submarines, scientists are searching the seas—from shallow reefs to the ocean's great depths.

Bacteria living in the Arctic's cold waters break down their food using more different ways than organisms on land do. This process of turning food into energy for growth, activities and reproduction is called metabolism (新陈代谢). These pathways also produce chemicals called “secondary metabolites”. One day they also might help people.

During a four­year project called PharmaSeas, scientists made thousands of extracts from those seafloor samples. In about a dozen of them, researchers found mixtures that can kill bacteria that some of today's antibiotics (抗生素) cannot kill. Three other newfound chemicals reduce epileptic seizures (癫痫病发作) in mice. Yet another compound may reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

1. Why do sea organisms produce chemicals?

A．To warn themselves in the sea.	B．To benefit other creatures.
C．To change their environment.	D．To struggle for survival.

2. In what way does Arctic bacteria differ from organisms on land according to the text?

A．Medicinal value.	B．The way of hunting.
C．The way of breaking down food.	D．Importance to humans.

3. What is special about the mixtures from seafloor samples?

A．They have the same effects as today's medicine.

B．They have unique functions.

C．They can treat most diseases.

D．They can kill all bacteria.

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

A．Diving for New Medicines	B．Threats from the Ocean
C．Future Sources of Bacteria	D．Danger of Diving in the Sea

2 . Gems (珍宝) of Grand Central Terminal (GCT)

The Transportation Sculpture

This impressive sculpture — all 1,500 tons of it — really rocks. Three figures from Roman mythology (神话) rest above the terminal’s main entrance on 42nd Street. Hercules (on the left) represents strength; Mercury (in the middle) is linked to speed, commerce, and transportation; and Minerva (on the right) represents wisdom.

Designed by French sculptor Jules-Félix Coutan, Transportation is 66 feet wide and stands 48 feet tall at its highest point. Coutan made a small-scale model of the sculptural group, and craftsmen in Long Island City carved it from Indiana limestone.

The Tiffany Clock

A Jewel-like clock made by world-renowned Tiffany Studios sits in the middle of The Transportation Sculpture. With a diameter of 14 feet, this colorful timepiece is said to be the largest Tiffany glass clock in the world.

The Clock on the Information Booth

Another famous GCT timepiece is the four-sided, brass-and-opal (黄铜和猫眼石) clock on top of the information booth in the main concourse (大厅). It’s a popular meeting point in this busy transportation center. The clock is capped by an acorn. Beneath the clock, a hidden staircase goes down to another booth on a lower level of the terminal.

The Main Concourse’s Ceiling Mural (壁画)

In a 1913 edition of The New York Times, a railway official joked that people might spend so much time stargazing at the mural on the main concourse’s ceiling that they’d miss their trains. It’s easy to see why. Groups of stars — a mix of gold leaf (thin sheets of gold) and artfully placed light bulbs — twinkle across the ceiling sky. The starry scene, which was designed by a French artist named Paul César Helleu, brings to mind travelers of the past who navigated by the stars.

1. What do The Transportation Sculpture and The Tiffany Clock have in common?

A．They are both located above the GCT’s main entrance.	B．They were both designed by Jules-Félix Coutan.
C．They are both linked to Roman mythology.	D．They were both made of glass.

2. What do we know about The Clock on the Information Booth?

A．It is forty-eight feet high.	B．It is on top of a huge statue.
C．It is connected to a lower level booth.	D．It is the largest opal clock in the world.

3. What does the ceiling mural show to the passengers?

A．Some stories from mythology.	B．Thousands of stars in the sky.
C．Various clocks from history.	D．Craftsmen in ancient times.

3 . Most of London's national museums are completely free of charge. So without cost to worry about, these are the must-see museums for art lovers on their first trip to London.

National Portrait Gallery

PHONE +44 20 7306 0055

Where else but the National Portrait Gallery can you find oil paintings of the Bronte sisters and William Shakespeare alongside black and white photographs of the Spice Girls and a mixed media portrait of J.K. Rowling? Featuring a collection of famous British people from the Tudor period to the present day, the National Portrait Gallery is a must for those who like British culture.

Science Museum

PHONE +44 33 3241 4000       

Ideal for left-brainers, London's Science Museum celebrates scientific, technological, and mathematical achievements — but that makes it sound so serious. With interactive exhibits, flight simulators, an IMAX theater, and even a milkshake bar, a trip to the Science Museum is far from the boring science lessons from back in the day.

Churchill War Rooms

PHONE +44 20 7416 5000

The Imperial War Museum is a collection of five museums and sites. One of the collection' s most fascination inclusions is the Churchill War Rooms. Walking through the underground labyrinth （迷宫）of war rooms is literally walking in the footsteps of Sir Winston Churchill and his war cabinet during WWII

Natural History Museum

PHONE +44 20 7942 5000

Once the home to African elephant specimens and surprising casts of a Triceratops and Diplodocus, the museum' s main hall now floats the real skeleton of a blue whale high above visitors’ heads. Though no longer in the entry hall, you can still find dinosaurs here, such as the first fossil ever found from a T. rex.

1. Which is the best choice for J.K. Rowling’s fans?

A．National Portrait Gallery.	B．Science Museum.
C．Churchill War Rooms.	D．Natural History Museum.

2. What can people do in Science Museum?

A．View the arts of the Tudor period.	B．Enjoy a film in an IMAX theater.
C．Learn about the war history of Britain.	D．Watch the skeleton of a blue whale.

3. Which number should be called if you’ re interested in dinosaurs?

A．44 20 7306 0055.	B．44 33 3241 4000.
C．44 20 7416 5000.	D．44 20 7942 5000.

4 . Great Activities for Nature Lovers

Hiking

One of the easiest and most accessible ways to get close to nature is by setting out on a good old fashioned hike. Hiking generally doesn’t require any fancy equipment or special skills, just a piece of map and a thirst for adventure. This activity can be as relaxing as you make it.

Backcountry Camping

Why limit yourself to just a day hike when you can have a full weekend (or longer) adventure? Backcountry camping involves packing your tent, sleeping gear, food, and water on your back to set up camp in a remote location. If you’re an experienced hiker and camper, this is an excellent way to test your survival skills and explore the wilderness.

Mountain and Road Biking

Unlike long hikes through the woods, biking allows you to cover more ground and travel farther in nature. Mountain biking typically involves riding up and down steep slopes, between trees, and over rocks. If this sounds too intense or your tires aren’t suited for rugged terrain, consider taking a road bike on paved trails through forest preserves or along country roads.

Gardening

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to travel beyond your own backyard to experience the beauty of nature every day. If your personality is less adventurous or your mobility restricted, consider planting a garden to grow your own vegetables, fruits, herbs, or flowers. There’s something truly satisfying about mixing up a salad with fresh ingredients you grew yourself. One of the best parts about spending time in nature is that it doesn’t have to break your budget and anyone can do it.

1. What does hiking need for hikers?

A．A world map.	B．A strong desire.
C．Practical skills.	D．Necessary equipment.

2. Where will you go to show your survival potential in the wild?

A．To a backyard.	B．To a forest.
C．To a mountain.	D．To a distant place.

3. Which of the following can take you to travel farthest?

A．Hiking	B．Backcountry Camping
C．Gardening.	D．Mountain and Road Biking

5 . Museums are an important means for cultural exchange and enrichment as well as the development of mutual understanding and cooperation among people. Then how many of these places have you visited? It’s time to decide your next travel destination.

The Musée du Louvre, Paris, France.

It is the world’s largest art museum and a historical landmark of Paris. Housed in the Louvre Palace, the museum has been extended many times since its opening in 1793. Its glass pyramid in the main courtyard was designed by Chinese American architect Ieoh Ming Pei, and it later became a signature design of the museum. Visitors to Paris’s paragon(典范), which houses nearly 35, 000 works of art, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, can spend hours, days or even weeks exploring the beloved treasure.

National Museum of China, Beijing, China.

Near Tiananmen Square in Beijing, it’s one of the largest museums in the world and the second-most visited art museum in the world, just after the Louvre. Covering a time span from the Yuanmou Man of 1.7 million years ago to the Qing Dynasty(1644-1911), it is devoted to display of treasured collections in the form of various thematic exhibitions, such as the Arts of bronze, porcelain, Chinese calligraphy and paintings, furniture, coins, etc in ancient China.

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, US.

Commonly known as the Met, the museum is among the must-visit attractions in New York City. It stands on the eastern edge of Central Park at Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The Met maintains extensive holdings of African, Asian, Oceanian, Byzantine and Islamic art. Every May, the museum holds the luxurious, blockbuster Met Gala, drawing global attention like the Oscars.

British Museum, London, UK.

Established in 1753, the British Museum is largely based on the collections of the Irish physician and scientist. At present, its comprehensive permanent collection has reached 8 million works. It was the first public national museum in the world. If you go, remember to take a picture under the Great Court.

1. What makes the Musée du Louvre different from other museums?

A．It has the longest history of all.

B．It is a public national museum.

C．It owns masterpiece like Mona Lisa.

D．It collects works of music throughout the world.

2. Which museum most probably displays the bed of Ming dynasty?

A．Metropolitan Museum of Art.	B．National Museum of China.
C．The Musée du Louvre.	D．British Museum.

3. What are visitors suggested doing if they go to British Museum?

A．Taking photos of museum’s exhibits.	B．Keeping the voice down.
C．Exploring museum’s history.	D．Having themselves photographed.

6 . Do you want to visit some amazing attractions in Philadelphia? If you do, here are some you can consider going.

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

It’s the oldest natural history museum in America. Attractions there include Dinosaur Hall with a fossil preparation lab and hands-on fossil dig site, live butterflies in a tropical garden, and a children’s nature center with live animals.

10 a.m.—4:30 pm, Monday— Friday, April 20, 2018

10am—5 pm, weekends and holidays

$59.00 for individuals

Independence Seaport Museum

Here on the edge of the Delaware River, you can check out a boat-building shop and explore the Spanish-American War Cruiser (巡洋舰) outside. Indoors, kids climb through a new, full-size reconstruction of a sailing ship created by using traditional boat-building techniques. Families can also rent museum-built boats to explore the calm waters and get a close view of the historic ships. Every Saturday, there are activities designed especially for children.

Open daily 10am—4:30 pm

$16.00 for adults and $12.00 for seniors (65&over), children (3—12)

Morris Arboretum

Spread out across 92 acres, the Victorian-styled Morris Arboretum holds plenty to explore and enjoy for adults and kids. Pick up the Tree Adventure Passport and go on a “Conservation Quest” throughout the gardens or create your own walking tour. People can wander around the pond there.

10am—4:00 pm, Monday— Friday

10am—5 pm, weekends

$10.00 for youth (3—12), students (must have ID)

$19.00 for adults

Benjamin Franklin Museum

The Benjamin Franklin Museum features artifacts, computer animations and interactive shows that explore Franklin’s life and character. It can bring kids’ history books to life. The exhibitions are open to visitors of all ages, and there are shows that are educational, fun and definitely hands-on.

Opens daily from 9 am to 7 pm

$5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children(4—16)

1. What can visitors do at the Independence Seaport Museum?

A．Learn how to go boating.

B．Create their old boat model.

C．Learn how to make a big traditional trip.

D．Have a rough knowledge about traditional ships.

2. How much should a couple with their 12-year-old son pay for Morris Arboretum?

A．$10.00	B．$ 19.00
C．$38.00	D．$48.00

3. What’s the common point among the four attractions?

A．They’re all suitable for family time.

B．They all mainly aim at educating people.

C．They all provide hands-on experience for tourists.

D．They all encourage people to have their own space.

7 . The year I turned fifty, I resolved to do something new every day. However, balancing 365 new things with work and family, while still managing to do the laundry and get dinner on the table every night, was not always easy. In the early weeks of the project, I found it difficult to find so many new things.

It wasn’t long before my friends learned that I was open to almost anything I could consider a new thing, and the invitations began pouring in not just from friends, but friends of friends. As a result, my life was new. I went dog sledding. I attended a fashion show. I went to numerous lectures on all kinds of topics that I never would have previously considered useful or interesting and found something to appreciate in every single one. I even signed up immediately when learning about a local group trying to get into the Guinness Book of World Records by doing something unusual.

As time went by, whenever I learned about something that seemed remarkable, I did what I could to pursue it. Instead of “Why”, I began to ask “Why not”. Now I find it is easier to just keep my eyes open to the possibilities that surrounded me. It turned out that there were new things everywhere, and all I had to do was make a little effort to enjoy them.

I looked back on the year. It doesn’t matter to me that many of my “new things” weren’t exactly meaningful. What matters is how to make full use of them when discovering there is an endless number of new things for me. It seemed to me an obvious sign that at fifty, my life was full of promise. I could continue to grow, stretch my wings, and learn more every day for the rest of my life. I enjoyed the idea of something new, and it gave me a reason to welcome each day as an opportunity to experience the world a little differently.

1. Which of the following can best describe the author’s feeling according to Paragraph 1?

A．Better late than never.	B．Action speaks louder than words.
C．Saying is one thing but doing is another.	D．Experience is the best teacher.

2. What’s the author’s attitude toward new things?

A．Skeptical.

B．Appreciative.

C．Cautious.

D．Tolerant.

3. What does the author intend to tell us in the last paragraph?

A．Make the most of new things.	B．Wait for your life to start over.
C．Try to find more new things.	D．Never say never when in trouble.

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

A．Dream for a New Life	B．The Value of Friendship
C．Remarkable New Things	D．A Year of New Things

8 . Perhaps it is time for farmers to put their feet up now because robots are used to inspect crops, dig up weeds, and even have become shepherds, too. Commercial growing fields are astronomically huge and take thousands of many hours to operate. One prime example is one of Australia’s most isolated cattle stations, Suplejack Downs in the Northern Territory, extending across 4,000 square kilometers, taking over 13 hours to reach by car from the nearest major town — Alice Springs.

The extreme isolation of these massive farms leaves them often unattended, and monitored only once or twice a year, which means if the livestock (家畜) falls ill or requires assistance, it can be a long time for farmers to discover.

However, robots are coming to the rescue. Robots are currently under a two-year trial in Wales which will train “farmbots” to herd, monitor the health of livestock, and make sure there is enough pasture (牧草地) for them to graze on. The robots are equipped with many sensors to identify conditions of the environment, cattle and food, using thermal and vision sensors that detect changes in body temperature.

During the trials, the robot algorithms and mechanics will be fine-tuned to make it better suited to ailing livestock and ensure it safely navigates around potential hazards including trees, mud, swamps, and hills.

“We want to improve the quality of animal health and make it easier for farmers to maintain large landscapes where animals roam free,” says Salah Sukkarieh of the University of Sydney, who will carry out trials on several farms in central New South Wales.

The robots are not limited to herding and monitoring livestock. They have been created to count individual fruit, inspect crops, and even pull weeds.

Many robots are equipped with high-tech sensors and complex learning algorithms to avoid injuring humans as they work side by side. The robots also learn the most efficient and safest passages, and allow engineers and farmers to analyze and better optimize (优化) the performances and tasks of the robot, as well as provide a live stream giving real-time feedback on exactly what is happening on the farms.

Of course, some worry lies in replacing agricultural workers. However, it is farmers that are pushing for the advancements due to ever-increasing labor vacancies (空缺), making it difficult to maintain large-scale operations.

The robots have provided major benefits to farmers in various ways, from hunting and pulling weeds to monitoring the condition of every single fruit. Future farms will likely experience a greater deal of autonomy as robots take up more and more farm work efficiently.

1. What will “farmbots” be expected to do?

A．Take up many of the farmers’ routines.	B．Provide medical treatments for livestock.
C．Lead the trend in farming the world over.	D．Improve the quality of pastures for grazing.

2. What can robots do when equipped with high-tech sensors and complex learning algorithms?

A．Help farmers choose the most efficient and safest passages.

B．Help farmers simplify their farming tasks and management.

C．Allow farmers to learn instantly what is occurring on the farm.

D．Allow farmers to give them real-time instructions on what to do.

3. Why are farmers pressing for robotic farming?

A．Farming costs are fast increasing.	B．Robotics technology is maturing.
C．Robotic fanning is the trend.	D．Labor shortage is worsening.

4. What does the author think future farms will be like?

A．More and more automated.	B．More and more productive.
C．Larger and larger in scale.	D．Better and better in condition.

9 . It happens from time to time that after a whole morning of studying, you are tired in the afternoon. It’s then that you might want to eat something sweet, perhaps a Coke or a chocolate bar,   to lift your mood. After all it’s popularly believed that a “sugar rush” gives us energy.

But a study published in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews in April suggests that sugar can make us feel worse rather than boost our moods.

The German and UK researchers collected data from 31 studies involving nearly 1,300 adults. They studied the effect of sugar on various aspects of mood, including anger, alertness, depression and tiredness.

They found that people who have too much sugar become more tired and less alert within an hour and that these feelings become more intense over time.

According to the researchers, when people take in sugar their blood sugar levels rise rapidly, leading to a burst of energy and a short “feel good” period. However, as they begin to digest the sugar, their blood sugar levels decrease quickly leading to a bad feeling.

To remain on a “high” people are likely to eat more and more sugar until they become addicted to it. As with caffeine, this prevents the body from relaxing, leaving people feeling tired and less alert.

But the study findings needn’t make us think we must give up sweet food altogether. According to the World Health Organization, it is healthy to have the sugars found naturally in fruit, vegetables and milk so long as these make up less than 5 percent of daily total energy intake.

So the next time you feel tired and can’t concentrate, perhaps you should think twice before you bite into a chocolate bar. Maybe a spot of exercise at midday would be a better idea!

Tips for beating afternoon fatigue.

* Head outside and sit in the daylight for 10 minutes.

* Get into the routine of a mid-afternoon cup of tea.

* Plan group activities for midday.

* Add variety to your routine.

1. What does the underlined word “boost” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．harm

B．improve

C．control

D．change

2. How did the people feel after they had sugar in the study?

A．They felt more tired.	B．They felt relaxed.
C．They were more alert.	D．They felt energetic.

3. What do we learn from Paragraphs 5-6?

A．Our mood is connected to our blood sugar levels.

B．Taking in more sugar benefits mental health.

C．Getting caffeine is another way to relax.

D．Sugar and caffeine are all the same.

4. What would the author suggest people do when they are tired?

A．Give up sweet food.	B．Have a bar of chocolate.
C．Do an hour of exercise.	D．Eat foods with natural sugars.

10 . When I was a student at St. Joseph’s University, I began to spend time on the streets of Philadelphia, getting to know the men and women for whom these streets were their only home. The more I developed relationships with them and the more I got to know them, the harder it became to head home at night while they remained outside.

In this journey, I have had many great teachers --- including Georgianna Simmons, who lost nine of her toes to frostbite (冻伤), and Joe Williams, with a college degree, who runs a rescue center for homeless men.

I’ve been doing this work for more than thirty years. People who have nothing have taught me so much about life. The lesson they have taught me is that people who are homeless need the same chances we all need: housing, education, employment, and healthcare. Contrary to our society, which values those it believes productive and rich and often ignores those who struggle with homelessness, I believe that every man, woman, and child has gifts. Everyone matters!

Therefore, I work for a society in which each person is given the chances and resources to achieve their fullest potential (潜力). I also believe that our greatest power is released when people come together across social boundaries (边界) to form a community. It is through “the power of us ” that we come to know the deepest truth of our humanity. This is what I truly believe, “None of us are truly home until all of us are home.”

1. Which of the following is true about the author after he knew more about the homeless?

A．He wanted to make friends with them.	B．He admired the life they were living.
C．He decided to live on the streets.	D．He felt great pity for them.

2. What can we learn about Joe Williams?

A．He has made studies on the homeless.

B．He has been homeless for a long time.

C．He has done something good for the homeless.

D．He has taken care of the homeless at his home.

3. What can be learned from Paragraph 3?

A．The homeless are taken seriously by the government.

B．We should provide houses for the homeless.

C．The homeless have fewer chances than us.

D．The number of the homeless is increasing.

4. Which could be the best title for the text?

A．Everyone matters

B．How the homeless live

C．The best way to help the homeless

D．What we should do to help ourselves