1 . For Stevens Point locals in the US, the city is flooded with delicious fried fish. Here are four top choices for the community to have a try.
Hilltop Pub&Grill
Hilltop Pub&Grill first opened in the 1980s and took the Stevens Point community by storm with its delicious food and unique decoration style. Its fried fish are beloved due to the use of “high-quality North Atlantic fish, with a light beer batter (面糊)”.
The Final Score Bar&Grill
The Final Score Bar&Grill aimed to become a local hot spot in 2001 when Jim Billings, the owner, took charge of the business. Billings feels that their five batter choices set them apart from their neighboring bars. Besides, various wines are available.
Point After Pub&Grill
Point After Pub&Grill started serving delicious food and cold beers in a welcoming environment in 2009. But its history runs much longer. “Before it was Point After Pub&Grill, it had been Northside Bar for 30 plus years,” explained Molski, the owner. Molski feels that the pub’s four special batter choices and other fish specials are what help make it an area landmark.
Two Harps Pub
This Irish pub opened its doors to the public in 2017 and has been drawing fans and locals ever since. “I had done my career for a long time and was kind of bored with it,” said Nick Moore, the owner. “And this opportunity fell into my lap, so I went with it. It really made sense to open up an Irish bar.” The growing pub advises guests to try a cold beer with their Friday fried fish.
1. What makes Hilltop Pub&Grill popular with customers?| A．The convenient location. | B．The special food. |
| C．The high-quality service. | D．The unique wine. |
| A．They are both run by the same company. | B．They are both famous for great wines. |
| C．They both feature some particular batter. | D．They were both founded ten years ago. |
| A．It is the newest among the four pubs. | B．It offers free cold beers to customers. |
| C．It only provides fried fish on Fridays. | D．It has a unique decoration style. |
2 . After 7 long years since the cute cat named Chebon went missing, there was little hope that it could be found. Robert probably already came to peace with the thought that he would never see his little friend again until he received a life-changing call. Clearly, a kind stranger reached out to tell him that his beloved cat was safe and sound and couldn’t wait to see him again!
The cat went missing years ago, right before Robert was planning on moving from California to Ohio. The sad owner decided to give up his plans and stayed in California for the whole year looking for his missing friend, but in vain. “I remember at one point I was praying and I said, ‘God, I’ll do anything, just bring my Chebon back…’”, Robert said in a video posted on the Ventura County Animal Services. The cat seemed to have disappeared forever and Robert had no other choice than to move on.
Then 7 years later, a woman noticed a cat that looked ill, so she decided to catch the animal and take him to the vet (兽医). Luckily, the cat she found had a microchip (微型芯片), and in an instant, they knew who the owner of the 19-year-old cat was. That’s when Robert received a call saying that his cat was alive.
“I was afraid there was some kind of mistake,” Robert said in the reunion video. The man decided to ride on a plane and fly all the way from Los Angeles to see his old friend. After finally seeing the cat, Robert immediately recognized his cat and burst into tears. After all these years, the two friends were back together. The touching moment was recorded by the animal shelter and was quickly spread on the Internet, leaving so many people in tears.
1. What happened to Chebon 7 years ago?| A．It was ill. | B．It was hurt in an accident. |
| C．It was lost. | D．It was taken to the animal shelter. |
| A．without success. | B．for no reason. |
| C．in no time. | D．at no cost. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Worried. |
| C．Peaceful. | D．Hopeless. |
| A．A video moved many people. |
| B．A cat was saved by a woman. |
| C．A man reunited with his missing cat. |
| D．A man kept looking for his cat for 7 years. |
3 . For my first year at Oxford, I barely said anything in tutorials(辅导课).
We'd have 2-3 tutorials a week, each ranging from 1 to 3 hours. Some would feel informal with comfortable chairs and teas, sitting and chatting with a few friends. Others would feel more like we were being grilled for facts. In both types, I was pretty quiet. I was shy, introverted, and worried that everyone would think I was stupid. The fact is that everyone in Oxford, Harvard, Yale, etc. has felt insecure about their intelligence at some point. I didn't volunteer in discussions and, as a result, I didn't understand much. My understandings of different texts never matured or became complex. They stayed the same. And they were often wrong.
Then, somewhere in the middle of my second year, I got over myself, stopped being worried, and offered more of my own opinions. I responded to others, asked thoughtful questions, and interacted way more. I always asked if I didn't understand something. Most of the time, others also didn't understand the thing I was confused about and felt happy I asked.
I went from being a passive learner and having everything go over my head to being an active learner and having tons more information understood. In tutorials, I took notes. After tutorials, I reviewed those notes. I rewrote them. I explained new concepts to my friends in other subject areas. And I felt smarter. I went from struggling and failing to thriving and suddenly getting firsts on my essays.
Being an active student also means asking for help. So I recommend you to visit your tutor during office hours and ask for their help or ask your peers to help explain stuff to you. Or get a mentor(导师) if you can. I had a PhD student mentor me once a week over coffee in my final year. It was the best thing that happened to my studies.
1. Which word best describes the author's academic attitude as a freshman?| A．Cooperative. | B．Inactive. | C．Serious. | D．Positive. |
| A．He became smarter than others. | B．He attached no importance to notes. |
| C．He had everything go over his head later. | D．His changed attitudes led to academic improvement. |
| A．To visit tutors at any time. | B．To get a mentor in the first year. |
| C．To ask our peers for help if necessary. | D．To learn everything from smart people. |
| A．How did I Ask for Help? | B．How did I Get over Myself? |
| C．How did I Become an Active Learner? | D．How did I Become a Smart Student? |
4 . In the mid-1990s, Tom Bissell taught English as a volunteer in Uzbekistan. He left after seven months, physically broken and having lost his mind. A few years later, still attracted to the country, he returned to Uzbekistan to write an article about the disappearance of the Aral Sea.
His visit, however, ended up involving a lot more than that. Hence this book, Chasing the Sea: Lost Among the Ghosts of Empire in Central Asia, which talks about a road trip from Tashkent to Karakalpakstan, where millions of lives have been destroyed by the slow drying up of the sea. It is the story of an American travelling to a strange land, and of the people he meets on his way: Rustam, his translator, a lovely 24-year-old who picked up his colorful English in California, Oleg and Natasha, his hosts in Tashkent, and a string of foreign aid workers.
This is a quick look at life in Uzbekistan, made of friendliness and warmth, but also its darker side of society. In Samarkand, Mr Bissell admires the architectural wonders, while on his way to Bukhara he gets a taste of police methods when suspected of drug dealing. In Ferghana, he attends a mountain funeral(葬礼)followed by a strange drinking party. And in Karakalpakstan, he is saddened by the dust storms, diseases and fishing boats stuck miles from the sea.
Mr Bissell skillfully organizes historical insights and cultural references, making his tale a well-rounded picture of Uzbekistan, seen from Western eyes. His judgment and references are decidedly American, as well as his delicate stomach. As the author explains, this is neither a travel nor a history book, or even a piece of reportage. Whatever it is, the result is a fine and vivid description of the purest of Central Asian traditions.
1. What made Mr Bissell return to Uzbekistan?| A．His friends' invitation. | B．His interest in the country. |
| C．His love for teaching. | D．His desire to regain health. |
| A．Developing a serious mental disease. |
| B．Taking a guided tour in Central Asia. |
| C．Working as a volunteer in Uzbekistan. |
| D．Writing an article about the Aral Sea. |
| A．Romantic. | B．Eventful. | C．Pleasant. | D．Dangerous. |
| A．To introduce a book. | B．To explain a cultural phenomenon. |
| C．To remember a writer. | D．To recommend a travel destination. |
5 . Self-driving cars have been backed by the hope that they will save lives by getting involved in fewer crashes with fewer injuries and deaths than human-driven cars. But so far, most comparisons between human drivers and automated vehicles have been unfair.
Crash statistics for human-driven cars are gathered from all sorts of driving situations, and on all types of roads. However, most of the data on self-driving cars' safety have been recorded often in good weather and on highways, where the most important tasks are staying in the car's own lane and not getting too close to the vehicle-ahead. Automated cars are good at those tasks, but so are humans.
It is true that self-driving cars don't get tired, angry, frustrated or drunk .But neither can they yet react to uncertain situations with the same skill or anticipation of an attentive human driver, nor do they possess the foresight to avoid potential perils. They largely drive from moment to moment, rather than think ahead to possible events literally down the road.
To a self-driving car, a bus full of people might appear quite similar to an uninhabited corn field. Indeed, deciding what action to take in an emergency is difficult for humans, but drivers have sacrificed themselves for the greater good of others. An automated system's limited understanding of the world means it will almost never evaluate ( 评估) a situation the same way a human would. And machines can't be programmed in advance to handle every imaginable set of events.
Some people may argue that the promise of simply reducing the number of injuries and deaths is enough to support driverless cars. But experience from aviation (航空) shows that as new automated systems are introduced, there is often an increase in the rate of disasters.
Therefore, comparisons between humans and automated vehicles have to be performed carefully. To fairly evaluate driverless cars on how well they fulfill their promise of improved safety, it's important to ensure the data being presented actually provide a true comparison. After all, choosing to replace humans with automation has more effects than simply a one-for-one exchange.
1. What makes the comparison between self-driving cars and human-driven cars unfair?| A．Self-driving cars never get tired. | B．Statistics are collected differently. |
| C．Machines can make decisions faster. | D．Self-driving cars know the world better. |
| A．Dangers. | B．Self-driving cars. | C．Pedestrians. | D．Human-driven cars. |
| A．Driving steadily. | B．Climbing steep slopes. |
| C．Evaluating the cost of loss. | D．Making complex decisions. |
| A．A poster. | B．A novel. | C．A brochure. | D．A magazine. |
6 . 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 for a longer adventure? Backcountry camping involves packing your tent，sleeping gear ,food, and water on your back to set up camp in a remote location. I 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( 地形) , 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 , fruit , herbs，or flowers. There's something truly satisfying about mixing up a salad with fresh ingredients you grow yourself. One of the best parts about spending time in gardening is that it doesn't have to break your budget and anyone can do it.
1. W hat do hikers need for hiking?| A．Practical skills. | B．Necessary equipment. |
| C．A useful map. | D．A relaxed mood. |
| A．You don't need to go far to enjoy the beauty of nature. |
| B．It gives you a sense of satisfaction when cooking with fresh ingredients. |
| C．It doesn't take any energy or money to do it. |
| D．I’s easy to start it for anyone who likes it. |
| A．Hiking. | B．Backcountry Camping. |
| C．Mountain and Road Biking. | D．Gardening. |
7 . It was New Year’s night. An aged man was standing at a window. Few more hopeless people than himself now moved towards their certain goal-the tomb. He had already passed sixty of the age leading to it, and he had brought from his journey nothing but errors and regrets.
The days of his youth appeared like dreams before him, and he recalled the serious moment when his father placed him at the entrances of the two roads. One leading to a peaceful, sunny place covered with flowers and fruits; the other leading to a deep dark cave which was endless. He looked towards the sky and cried painfully, “Oh youth, return! Oh, my father, place me once more at the entrance to life”. But both his father and the days of his youth had passed away.
He saw the lights flowing away in the darkness，and these were the days of his wasted life; he saw a star fall from the sky and disappear, and this was the symbol of himself. Then he remembered his friends in his childhood, who entered life together with him. But they had made their way to success and were then honored and happy on that New Year’s night.
The clock in the high church tower struck and the sound made him remember his parents. They had taught him and prayed to God for his good. But he chose the wrong way with shame and grief. He dared no longer to look towards the heaven where his parents lived. He burst out a cry: “Come back, my early days!”And his youth did return, for all this was only a dream on New Year’s night. He was still young though his faults were real. He had not yet entered the deep dark eave, and he was still free to walk on the road which leads to the peaceful and sunny land.
1. Which of the following words can best describe the aged man?| A．Confident. | B．Selfless. |
| C．Regretful. | D．Fortunate. |
| A．The man’s friends missed their youth. |
| B．The man’s friends suffered failure finally. |
| C．The man wasted his life at one time. |
| D．The man was lonely in his childhood. |
| A．The old man didn’t take his father’s advice. |
| B．The old man was enjoying his journey. |
| C．The old man’s father accompanied him during the journey. |
| D．The old man was like lights in the darkness. |
| A．A Special New Year’s Night | B．An Old Man’s Hesitation |
| C．Youth Coming Back | D．Two Roads to Take |
8 . Hi, I’m Neil Harbisso. I come from a place where the sky is always grey, where flowers are always grey, and where television is still in black and white.
I actually come from a world where color doesn’t exist. I was born with achromatopsia. I was born completely color-blind. So I’ve never seen color, and don’t know what it looks like. But since the age of 21, I can hear color thanks to a magic electronic eye called “eyeborg”: a color sensor between my eyes connected to a chip(芯片) installed at the back of my head that transforms color frequencies into sound frequencies that I hear through my bone.
I’ve had the electronic eye permanently attached to my head and I’ve been listening to colors nonstop since 2004. So I find it completely normal now to hear colors all the time.
Since I started to hear color, my life has changed significantly. Art galleries have become concert halls. I can hear a Picasso. And supermarkets have become like night clubs. I love how they sound.
My sense of beauty has changed. Someone might look very beautiful but sound terrible, and someone might sound very harmonious but look awful. So I find it really exciting to create sound portraits(画像) of people. Instead of drawing the shape of someone’s face I write down the different notes I hear when I look at them, and then I send them an mp3 of their face. Each face sounds different. I can even give face concerts now, concerts where I play the audience’s faces. The good thing about doing this is that if the concert doesn’t sound good, it’s their fault.
I also found out that things I thought were colorless are not colorless at all. Cities are not grey. Lisbon is yellow turquoise(宝石绿); London is very golden red…and humans are not black and white. Human skins range from light shades of orange to very dark shades of orange. We are all orange.
If we extend our senses, we will consequently extend our knowledge.
1. We can infer from the article that people with achromatopsia ____________.| A．suffer from blindness |
| B．have a good sense of colors |
| C．are not able to see colors |
| D．like to go to concert halls and supermarkets |
| A．Art galleries have been changed into various sounds. |
| B．Works at the art galleries are created by great musicians. |
| C．Art galleries are filled with noisy people. |
| D．The author now likes art galleries as much as concert halls. |
| A．Neil developed a rare disease in his childhood. |
| B．The eyeborg produces sounds based on shades of colors. |
| C．Neil will use the eyeborg for the rest of his life. |
| D．In Neil’s mind, all people are orange. |
| A．Eyeborg – a real life saver. | B．I listen to color. |
| C．Sense the world. | D．Art galleries turned into concert halls. |
9 . The San Francisco Giants added a special pitcher（投球手）for the day. It was small—yet fierce—Hailey Dawson, who has a 3D-printed hand.
The energetic 8-year-old from Nevada was invited to throw out the first pitch at the Giants game on Sunday. Dawson was born with Poland syndrome（综合症）, a disorder in which affected individuals are born with missing or underdeveloped muscles on one side of the body. It affected her hand.
With a traditional prosthetic（假肢）potentially costing thousands of dollars, Hailey’s mom, Yong Dawson turned to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for help. She emailed UNLV engineering, and they accepted the challenge. Brendan O’Toole, chairman of the mechanical engineering department, said he and his team had got a lot of requests, “but this one was different.” They got to work using a 3D-printer.Several prototypes（原型）and fittings later, Dawson got her first hand about four years ago.
Hailey’s mother said the hand had given her daughter a wonderful lift. “When she puts this robotic hand on, it changes her personality and confidence level,” Yong Dawson told CBS San Francisco. “I love seeing that. I just wanted her to have an even playing field.”
When she arrived at AT&T Park on Sunday, Hailey got to hang out with players in the shelter at the side of the sports field. They even let her try on their World Series rings.
Using her 3D-printed hand, Dawson threw out the perfect first pitch. Then with a wave and a smile, she headed into the stands to cheer on her newfound friends on the Giants.
1. What caused the function loss of Hailey’s hand?| A．A serious brain disorder. | B．A born physical problem. |
| C．An awful game accident. | D．An unexpected infection. |
| A．She couldn’t find a suitable hospital. |
| B．She knew it had the advanced 3D-printer. |
| C．She couldn’t afford a traditional prosthetic. |
| D．She was forced to accept the tough challenge. |
| A．Skeptical. | B．Positive. |
| C．Ambiguous. | D．Cautious. |
| A．Mother’s love makes a huge difference |
| B．A talented young pitcher gets a great future |
| C．The 3D-printing technology is changing our life |
| D．A girl with a3D-printed hand throws her first pitch |
