1 . There was a man playing the piano in a bar. He was a good piano player and always performed in this bar. People came in just to hear him play. But one night, a customer told him that he didn’t want to hear him just play the piano any more. He wanted him to sing a song.
The man said, “I don’t sing.”But the customer was persistent(执着的). He told the bar manager, “I’m tired of listening to the piano. I want that man to sing！” The manager shouted across the room, “If you want to get paid, sing a song. Our customers are asking you to sing！”So he did
He sang a song. A piano player who had never sung in public did so for the first time. And everyone was surprised by his song Mona Lisa. He got lots of applause(掌声) that night.
He had such a talent for singing, but he just had been sitting on his talent for the past years! If without such a chance, he may have lived the rest of his life as a noname piano player in a noname bar. However, now he has become one of the bestknown singers in America.
You, too, have skills and abilities. Maybe your “talent” is not as great as the singer above, but it may be better than you think! And with effort, most skills can be improved. So, in your life, you should be brave enough to try doing different things and find out what talents you really have!
1. Why did the man start to sing?| A．Because he wanted to make more money. |
| B．Because the bar manager said he liked his song |
| C．Because the manager asked him to sing at the request of a customer. |
| D．Because he wanted to show everyone that he had a talent for singing. |
| A．Humourous. | B．Rude. |
| C．Strict. | D．Kind. |
| A．The man didn’t get paid at last. |
| B．The customers were unsatisfied with the song. |
| C．The man became a singer later. |
| D．The manager had to lay the man off. |
| A．Some people really have no skills or abilities. |
| B．Sometimes through effort we can know our talents. |
| C．None of us is as great as the singer. |
| D．No skills can be improved even if you try your best. |
2 . In many ways, Alma Deutscher is like other 11-year-olds. She loves to climb trees, dance, read, and draw. But Alma, who lives in Dorking, England, can claim one very special achievement. She has composed a full opera and brought it to the stage. Her opera, a retelling of Cinderella (灰姑娘), premiered (首次演出) in December 2016, in Vienna, Austria.
“I’ve loved Cinderella since I was 3,” Alma said. But she felt the story needed an improvement. “I didn’t like the thing about the shoe,” she says. “Why should the prince find her because of her feet?”
In Alma’s version (版本), Cinderella is a composer. She creates a melody (旋律) that she sings to the prince before fleeing the ball. “He remembers the beginning but not how it went on,” Alma says. The prince realizes that only Cinderella would know how the melody continues. He uses that knowledge to find her.
Alma began writing the opera when she was 8. It premiered to a sold-out crowd on December 29, 2016, and got a standing ovation (起立鼓掌). Alma played the piano and violin and performed in the show. “It was something that was completely inside my head, in my imagination, and then it came to life,” Alma says.
Alma says she is certain that music will remain a major part of her life. “I have lots of things that I want to compose,” she says. “The first one is a piano concerto (协奏曲). Then I’m writing a novel, and I want to write a movie based on it, and the music for that.”
She also has advice for kids who want to achieve their big dreams. “It’s a lot of work to reach a high level,” Alma says. “But if you love what you are doing, it doesn’t feel like hard work. Don’t let anyone stop you from doing it.”
1. What does the author mostly want to tell us in Paragraph 1?| A．Alma Deutscher lives in Vienna Austria. |
| B．Alma Deutscher is a cute girl. |
| C．Alma Deutscher is always ready to help others. |
| D．Alma Deutscher has a special music talent. |
| A．The prince finds Cinderella because of her shoes. |
| B．The prince finds Cinderella because of a melody. |
| C．The prince sings a melody to Cinderella before her fleeing the ball. |
| D．The prince knows how the melody continues. |
| A．It lives up to audience’s expectation. |
| B．It sets a good example for other kids. |
| C．It turns out to be a great success. |
| D．It is something in Alma’s imagination. |
| A．Necessity is the mother of invention. | B．Knowledge is power. |
| C．Nothing is difficult to a willing heart. | D．A bold heart is half the battle. |
3 . In the coming weekends，we are going to hold some meaningful events. You are welcome to come and join us. The details are as follows.
Flat Out Catfishing Date: Saturday，November 1st Location: Richmond This educational workshop is designed only for adults who are interested in learning about fishing. Participants are required to have a current fishing license. Lunch and tools will be provided. Workshop fee is $35.Please register(注册)by October 20h.For more information，contact Chris Dunnavant at 804-367-6778 or click the link chris@dgif.virg.gov. |
Women in the Outdoor Event Date: Sunday，November 2nd Location: Bastian If you are interested in learning new outdoor skills，meeting others with similar interests and spending time with friends and family，then this event is for you！Some of the 2-hour classes offered include: Outdoor Cooking，Outdoor Photography，and Stream Fishing. This workshop is designed for females 14 years of age and older. Participants under 18 must be accompanied(陪伴)by a registered adult. For more information，contact Amy Hancock at 276-682-3777 or click amy@blandvanwft.com. |
Mother Daughter Outdoors Date: Saturday，November 8th Location: Appomattox This educational workshop is designed for women. It provides an excellent opportunity for anyone 9 years of age and above to learn outdoor skills usually associated with hunting and fishing. Meals and lodging(住宿)are included in the workshop fee. Register early to book your space！For more information，contact Jimmy Mootz at 804-367-0656 or click the link jimmy@dgif.virg.gov. |
JAMES Event Date: Sunday, November 9th Location: Luray This event is hosted for girls 7-17 years of age. Adults are encouraged to attend with their children. Sessions will be offered in shotgun, air rifle, small bore rifle, and archery. Non-shooting sessions will also be offered. Lunch will be provided. The event is scheduled from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Art Kasson at 540-622-6103 or click the link art@ yahoo. com. |
1. What is special about the event Flat Out Catfishing?
| A．It teaches fishing skills. | B．Its cost is low and lunch is free. |
| C．It is designed only for grown-ups. | D．It needs registering ahead of time. |
| A．Awards for fishing are needed in Flat Out Catfishing. |
| B．Participants of JAMES Event must be good at shooting. |
| C．A.15-year-old girl can't join in Women in the Outdoor Event alone. |
| D．Meals and lodging are free of charge in Mother Daughter Outdoors. |
| A．a website | B．a magazine | C．a guide book | D．a newspaper |
4 . Have you ever had the experience of talking to someone and you think they are lying? Well, you are not alone. We’ve all had that feeling. But did you know that there are several things you can look for to see if you are being lied to?
Sometimes you can tell if a person is lying by observing what they do with their body. When people are lying they tend not to move their arms, hands or legs very far from their body. They don’t want to take up very much space because they don t want to be noticed. Sometimes a person who is lying will not look you in the eyes. Other times people who lie try to look at you in a strong way because they want to convince you they are telling the trugh.
Liars also use deflection. For example, if you ask a liar the question “Did you steal Fatima’s bag?” they may answer with something like “Fatima is my friend. Why would I do that?” In this situation the person is telling the truth, but they are also not answering the question. They are trying to deflect your attention. Liars may also give too many details. They may try to over-explain things. They do this because they want to convince you of what they are saying.
Often when a person is lying, they do not want to continue talking about their lie. If you think someone is lying, quickly change the subject. If the person is lying, they will spear more comfortable because they are not talking about their lie any longer. A little later, change the subject back to what you were talking about before. If the person seems uncomfortable again, they may be lying.
It’s very hard for a liar to avoid filling silence created by you. He or she wants you to believe the lies being woven; silence gives no feedback on whether or not you’ve bought the story. If you’re a good listener, you’ll already be avoiding interruptions, which in itself is a great technique to let the story unfold.
Just because a person is showing these behaviors, it does not mean they are lying. They might be shy or nervous. But, if you think someone is lying, you might want to use some of these techniques. Hopefully, you won’t need to very often.
1. According to the passage, a person could be lying he or she ________.| A．offers more information than necessary |
| B．appears to be shy or nervous |
| C．the subject of the conversation |
| D．speaks very fast and vaguely |
| A．Liars always try to avoid direct eye contact when they tell lies. |
| B．We can make people lie by changing the subject in a conversation. |
| C．Liars are often expansive in hand and arm movements while talking. |
| D．We make liars uncomfortable by giving no feedback in a conversation. |
| A．who deceives us | B．why people tell lies |
| C．how to detect lies | D．what to do with liars |
5 . As a youngster, there was nothing I liked better than Sunday afternoons at my grandfather’s farm in western Pennsylvania. Surrounded by miles of winding stone walls, the house and field provided endless hours of fun for a city kid like me.
Since my first visit to the farm, I had wanted more than anything to be allowed to climb the stone walls surrounding the houses. My parents would never approve because the walls were so old that some stones were loose and falling. Still, my idea to climb across those walls grew so strong that finally I had all my courage to enter the living room, where the adults had gathered after Sunday dinner.
“I want to climb the stone walls,” I said. “Heavens, no! You’ll hurt yourself!” the response was just as I’d expected. But before I left the room, I was stopped by my grandfather’s loud voice. “Now hold on just a minute,” I heard him say. “Let the boy climb the stone walls. He has to learn to do things for himself. ”
“Go,” he said to me, “and come and see me when you get back.” For the next two and a half hours I climbed those old walls—and had the time of my life. Later I met with my grandfather to tell him about my adventures. I’ll never forget what he said. “Fred,” he said, smiling, “You made this day a special day just by being yourself. Always remember, there’s only one person in this whole world like you, and I like you exactly as you are.”
Many years have passed since then, and today I host the television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, seen by millions of children throughout America. There have been changes over the years, but one thing remains the same: my message to children at the end of almost every visit. “There’s only one person in this whole world like you.” the kids can count on hearing me say, “and people can like you exactly as you are.”
1. The writer enjoyed his visits to the farm because ________.| A．there were old stone walls | B．it was an exciting place for him |
| C．he liked his grandfather | D．he was allowed to climb the stone walls |
| A．all the adults were shocked | B．his parents agreed |
| C．none of the adults responded | D．his grandfather backed him up |
| A．adventurous | B．reliable | C．smart | D．considerate |
| A．An Unforgettable Experience | B．Do Whatever You Like |
| C．Just Be Yourself | D．Remain Adventurous |
6 . 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？ |
7 . 
News anchors(主播) must have been reluctant to read out the following news: Xin Xiaomeng began working as the world’s first female artificial(人工的) intelligence news anchor at Xinhua News Agency on Sunday, three months after a male robot joined the profession.
Unlike previous news robots though, Xin does not read news like a cold machine; she reads it almost like a human being. The muscles on her face stretch and relax-and her reactions change-as she continues reading. That’s why many news anchors were worried: Will AI replace us in the near future?
To find the answer, we have to analyse the technologies that support Xin at her job. Three key technologies are used to support Xin. First, samples of human voices are collected and synthesized (合成). This is followed by the collection and synthesis of human muscle movement samples. And third the voices and movements are married in a way that when the Al news anchor reads, the micro -electric motors behind her face move to make her expressions seem more human.
Yet we need a thorough knowledge of deep leaning technology to make a robot imitate a person’s voice. The developer needs to collect tens of thousands of pieces of pronunciations, input them Into the machine and match them with the text or the Al to lean and read. The process for imitating facial movements is similar. The developer has to analyse the movements of the 53 muscles in the human face, make a model set from the collected data for the AI news anchor to lean, and imitate the movements of facial muscles via programs
Both the technologies used to make Xin’s performance impressive are mature. The real difficulty lies in the third -the technology to match the pronunciations with facial movements so that Xin expressions vary according to the content of the news report. In fact, Xins expressions don' t always change according to the content. As a result, her expressions look anything but human. Actually. AI is still no match for human qualities.
1. What does the underlined word "reluctant "in the first paragraph mean?| A．Delighted. | B．Unwilling. | C．Confused. | D．Optimistic. |
| A．They read news without expressions. | B．They looked like a human being |
| C．They could interview sports stars | D．They could interact with audience. |
| A．This technology is very perfect so far |
| B．This technology is quite popular now |
| C．This technology remains at the theoretical stage |
| D．This technology is far from mature. |
| A．human news anchors should learn from AT anchors to save their jobs |
| B．Al anchors perform much better than human news anchors at present |
| C．Al news anchors won 't replace human news anchors in the near future |
| D．Xin Xiaomeng s expressions vary so naturally that they are true to life |
8 . Choosing where to live may be one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when you move to Sydney, but you’ll have plenty of help.
Temporary arrival accommodation
Before you move to Sydney, we recommend that you book a temporary place to stay. Once you get here, you can look for longer-term accommodation.
--sydney.edu.au/accommodation/short-term
On-campus-residential colleges (fully catered饮食全包的)
The University has eight residential colleges on the Camperdown/Darlington Campus, including International House, a residential community of global scholars. Colleges provide comfortable, fully furnished single rooms and daily meals, along with sporting, cultural, leadership and social programs. They also include on-site tutorials(辅导课) in addition to campus-based classes.
--sydney.edu.au/colleges
On-campus residences (self-catered饮食自理的)
The University has two self-run residences—Queen Mary Building (QMB) and Abercrombie Student Accommodation—on the Camperdown/Darlington Campus. Both just under a year old, they house up to 1000 students. These residences provide modern single-study rooms with large common living, learning and study spaces, shared kitchens, a theatre, gyms, soundproofed music rooms, art studios, sky lounges and rooftop gardens.
--sydney.edu.au/campus-life/accommodation/live-on-campus.html
Off-campus living
More than 90 percent of our students live off campus. The University is close to many dynamic and multicultural suburbs such as Annandale, Newtown, Chippendale and Glebe. A great place to search is our large online database of properties.
--sydney.edu.au/campus-life/accommodation/live-off-campus.html
1. Where can you find a place to live temporarily?| A．On “sydney.edu.au/colleges”. |
| B．On “sydney.edu.au/accommodation/short-term”. |
| C．On “sydney.edu.au/campus-life/accommodation/live-on-campus.html”. |
| D．On “sydney.edu.au/campus-life/accommodation/live-off-campus.html”. |
| A．Their own kitchens. |
| B．On-site tutorials. |
| C．Daily meals. |
| D．Gyms. |
| A．Living off campus. |
| B．Living in host families. |
| C．Living in self-catered flats on campus. |
| D．Living in fully catered houses on campus. |
9 . Bus Tours in Washington DC
The Lights Night Tour in Washington DC
Duration: 3 hours $56.33
Highest-rated Night Tour in DC! The ONLY DC Night Tour where the Tour Guides HOP OFF with you at each stop and tell you about each monument and attraction. Hop aboard the The Lights Night Tour! The best time to take a tour of Washington DC is at night.
Best Mount Vernon & Arlington Cemetery Tour from Washington DC
Duration: 6 hours $78.96
See Arlington Cemetery, Old Town Alexandria and George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate on this small group bus tour from Washington DC. Your tour guide will accompany you through Mount Vernon, telling you about all of the attractions there and the history of George Washington’s home on the Potomac River.
The Best Minibus Tour in Washington DC
Duration: 3 hours $46.92
See all the key attractions DC has to offer in a 3-hour format. You will learn all about the history and trivia that surrounds Washington and visit the major monuments and attractions DC has to offer.
Please Note: Rates for this tour vary by day of the week. When you choose your specific date on the availability calendar, the rates for that date will be displayed.
The Blossoms Tour in Washington DC
Duration: 3 hours $56.99
BEST WAY to Experience the Cherry Blossoms! Each year from mid March to mid April, see the beautiful Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC and get great photos because you’ll be led to all the best spots by the best guides. The annual spring bloom in DC is a magical time and this tour promises to provide the very best tour opportunity for you!
1. Which tour would provide you with a sightseeing boat?| A．The Blossoms Tour. |
| B．The Lights Night Tour. |
| C．The Best Minibus Tour. |
| D．Best Mount Vernon & Arlington Cemetery Tour. |
| A．Its price is not fixed. |
| B．The best time to take it is at night. |
| C．The tour guide accompanies you. |
| D．You can get great photos of cherry. |
| A．July 4. |
| B．August 15. |
| C．March 27. |
| D．October 8. |
10 . Each time Chinese New Year is approaching, preparations are underway around the world. Here are some Chinatowns for those outside of China wishing to mark the day.
London
Although it may not be as large or as long-built as others, having only become a center for the Chinese community during the 1950s, London’s Chinatown is perfectly formed little firework that knows how to see in the year with a bang. Decorated with red lanterns, previous years have seen shows with acrobatics（杂技）, martial arts（武术）,dance and opera nearby.
San Francisco
San Francisco’s Chinatown is perhaps the most famous in the United States. The city was the main entry-point for Chinese who had crossed the Pacific to the USA during the early 19th century. Between the Grant Avenue and the Stockton Street, this historic area is a local treasure, attracting more visitors per year than the Golden Gate Bridge.
Bangkok
With an about 100-year-old history, the Thai capital’s Chinatown contains complex streets offering all kinds of tasty treats, clothes, toys and antiques. Sunday market days are such a good time to get the full atmosphere of the neighborhood. The area is also known for its gold dealers, whose shops line the road.
Mauritius
Found in Port Louis, this Mauritian Chinatown shows the island nation’s rich multicultural diversity. Established in the early years of the 20th century by settlers from China, its tiny shops and restaurants serve locals and visitors. During the Chinese Spring Festival, the most exciting sight is the Dragon Dances on Rue Royale when Chinese musicians and dancers perform the traditional lion dances through the streets.
1. According to the text, which of the following has the longest history?| A．London’s Chinatown. | B．San Francisco’s Chinatown. |
| C．Mauritius’s Chinatown. | D．Bangkok’s Chinatown. |
| A．It is crowded with Chinese restaurants. | B．It is the major entrance for the Chinese. |
| C．It is well-known for its gold business. | D．It is when you can enjoy fireworks. |
| A．Rue Royale in Port Louis, Mauritius | B．the Sunday market in Bangkok |
| C．the Grant Avenue in San Francisco | D．the Chinese community in London |
